Suspicious people eyeing my cat.
 

(A question ensues the story)

So recently, a pair of people (A relatively large overweight man, and a small woman) were petting and speaking about a cat of mine several feet from my front window. What they said was that the cat looks just like their cat(KitKat), and as they were petting my cat, they called up someone to tell them about what they think they stumbled upon. Before I left my room to warn others in my family about these two people, I overheard them say that the girl "swears" that it is her cat.

Afterwards, I walked outside with a couple family members to maybe convince the people that we had the cat for almost 10 years, since it was a kitten. They didn't seem phased by the information. (I guess understandable) The man just smiled and nodded while saying, "Uh'huh. Yea." They left shortly after we came outside (without our cat, thankfully), and we picked up our cat and took it inside.

Now several days have passed and we are keeping an eye out for our cat. Just today (of this post) I witnessed the two come by with a dog, and (I think) an old woman. The cat wasn't around, but I was watching them through a window, and they were scouting the area for possibly the cat. About 20 minutes later my sibling had to go somewhere, and while she was pulling out of the driveway, the group of people came around again. Apparently, my sibling overheard her say some things about the cat that were not true. (gender, etc.)

I've been thinking of some ways to prove to them that the cat is... well, part of our family. First by (maybe)pictures and(/maybe) questions about the cat, and as well as reasoning. My cat is a black and white cat, so I'll ask them simple logical reasoning questions, such as: "So you swear that my generic black and white cat, looks exactly like your generic black and white cat?"

But if the people get aggressive (I hope not) I have some pepper spray and a usb video camera that I can record events as they unfold onto my computer. I also have a pocket knives, but that is so far pushed way out of my head, unless, for whatever reason, they become vicious. (I really hope not, and I could land myself in jail, or maybe worse.)

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My Question: I think I got most everything of what I may do vaguely described above, but, what would you do?

Thanks in advance!

I'm lost for words.

I had a dog and some old lady thought it was hers. She some how found him on the street and called our house. She was fsking crazy on the phone and ended up calling the ASPCA or something.

Weirdo.

I'd keep the cat inside. I have two black-and-white cats (In fact, I've had at least one b/w cat at all times since I was a small boy - quite a few b/w cats now) and I've always been concerned about my black cats around this time of year. There have been missing cats in my area reported used in satanic rituals and that is a worry of mine. As for your problem, I would get kitty microchipped or some such too, if you haven't already. Get vet bills or records together, along with those pictures you mentioned. Call the cops and 'apologize for asking a dumb question' and see what rights you have after you explain the situation. In the U.S. pets are considered property if I remember correctly. Have current pictures taken, even if it is a Polaroid for comparison.

Keep the cat inside, there's no telling what people will do. I've had neighbors call and complain about our dog barking when it was sleeping on the floor and I went outside and saw that it was THEIR dog barking. People are strange and you're probably not imagining it.

I and most of my family have been doing that. Someone is letting it out every so often, so that has to be addressed, though, I don't want it to always stay indoors. I wouldn't want that done to me.

That's a great idea, I'm going to go look into putting some sort of tracking device on it, as well as get a recent picture of some sort.

Where are you located?

State, as well as country, would be helpful.

Here in Texas (where I now) the law is much more liberal about shooting trespassers than in Massachusetts (where I was born). Not that you should be considering shooting trespassers, but my understanding of TX law is that after dark I could legally shoot a catnapper in the back as s/he ran away, providing s/he were carrying the cat. My only concern would be the safety of the cat & the neighbors. In Mass. I wouldn't dare bring the weapon outside the house.

I am LMFAO at the story, and the whole idea.. Laughing to tears here.. *Imagines hearing 'Dragnet' theme music in the background..


Thanks :D (still laughing)...!!

Personally, I'd let them take the cat away.. That's only if it were HERE, because I don't like cats, and there are oodles of them wandering around everywhere in my city/province that are uncared for. And it sounds like that cat is too big for my snake to--- Well, anyways..
.. I realize this may not be the best plan for your situation, as people you live with (and yourself) likely like the cat, and indeed care for it a great deal. But... LOL, still laughing at the story :) I guess it struck me funny :/ But seriously, protect the cat. Keep those catnappers at bay. I think you summarized the case very well; and thanks again! I needed a good giggle :)

I would find out the names and addresses of the people who are stalking your cat and then quit worrying about it. Then if your cat ever disappears you can report the theft to the police and let them handle it.

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Steve Stites

I agree, and I don't keep my cats indoors all the time either. I live in an area where I'm more afraid of bears or wolves eating my cats than people stealing them. But then, a cat can go places a bear or wolf can't to get away. A lot of times I go outside with my cats - walking in the field or to the mailbox with both following me wherever I go. So I would think that if you or someone else can keep an eye on your cat, it might not be that much of a problem.

Besides, we need to get outdoors too sometimes - that screen tan is so unsightly.

Alright, thanks.

Anyways, I live in Southern California.

There must be some defining characteristic about your cat that would make him/her unique. Something that they wouldn't know about. Maybe a scar it received in a fight with another cat when it was smaller? Maybe it has a ninth nipple?

I'm with grapefruit on this one, i cant stand cats. But like it was said earlier, you can microchip the cat with all your info. as long as they don't know WHEN you did it, that is relatively undisputable evidence.

As for proof, vet bills usually work very well, thats what i use for my dog.