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a family who leaves their dog outside - in a crate - in a florida winter (rains) no food/waterduring days and nights (down to 30s) for about a month - (til animal control steps in)

Gets a little grey kitten (maine coon) - she is found outside - hungry and demanding attention. You see this kitten pick it up thinking it's a stray

your child tells you two days later that it does belong to the family who abused the dog - and let the male cat they owned outside all the time and he eventually disappeared

would you give her back? YES it is teaching the child a wrong lesson - but the cat would end up back on the street w/in days

Nope, wouldn't give it back.

That cat would be fixed and no one would ever know I had it.

My $.02 and feel free to flame me, but I wouldn't give it back.

I would because it's not my cat and I don't like cats. If we keep it then it's teaching my child that it's ok to steal. If it was really bad then I would go speak to the owner or report it.

I would because it's not my cat and I don't like cats. If we keep it then it's teaching my child that it's ok to steal. If it was really bad then I would go speak to the owner or report it.

I agree. It isn't your cat. That being said, I would take it back and tell the owners that unless they start taking care of their animals that you will report them. And then do it.

Animals can't make choices, but people can. I don't know how old your son is, but kids are never too young to learn about loving animals and caring for them properly. And, there is a big difference between stealing and rescuing.

I would not give the kitten back to the owners with a warning to take better care of it. From what you've said about the dog they leave out, it's highly unlikely they would care about a warning for a neighbor.

I would take the kitten in and call animal control in your area and explain that you found the cat and believe it might belong to a family that is known to neglect and abuse their animals. If you call the police, they'll just tell you to give the cat back, but if you contact animal control or an animal rights organization, they may be able to not only help the kitten but the other animals those people own as well.

It's been a while since you started this thread, but I'd be curious to see how you resolved the situation.

Why give it back? it's oviously not loved. I would not give it back. I would go let the dog loose to. Atleast give it a chance at freedom.

I think you run into issues when you take the animal and yes it does send a bad message to your kids. You may see the moral line, later they may not.

However, if you see neglect, then call animal control.

Well I probably wouldn't give the kitten back. There is another lesson to be learned by your child. You have to be kind. Animals are not just objects, they suffer too.

Its not teaching the child a bad lesson its teaching your child that there are irresponsible possibly evil people in this world and there is always something you can do. I did the same thing. We found a dog that I thought was a stray and took it in during a thunderstorm. I later found out he belonged to someone. When I found him he had cigarette burns all over his body and there was no way I was giving him back. When my daughter found out and said I "stole" him I told her, "yes I did and if I ever saw another animal in pain and suffering I would do it again."

Difficult situation indeed. I think I'd take the animal to the animal control folks and explain the situation. It doesn't sound likely that the people who have the animals would really care much if you spoke to them. There's no reason for animals to be abused and rescuing them is always a good thing.

I had a similar situation. This half-starved orange kitten showed up at my house one day. We kept him. Found out later he belonged to a family down the road, but that the kids abused him and he kept running away. One day, I found the lady walking around my yard, so I asked her what she was doing. She asked if I had her cat. I told her I had a cat that had come to me half starved, but I didn't know if it was hers. Just then the cat came out to see me, saw her, and ran. She caught him by the tail, picked him up BY THE TAIL and was carrying him down the street. I called the police, which housed animal control, and they sent an animal control officer and a policeman. We all went to her house, and they gave her a ticket for not having the cat vaccinated and told her she had to keep it inside. A few days later, he showed up back at my house, looking emaciated and with hair missing. I packed him into a cat carrier and took him to the no-kill shelter and explained the situation. They took him right in and found him a wonderful home. She sent her sons to my house to ask if I had her cat, and I simply said "No, I don't." which as the truth. I do not feel guilty in the least.

I wouldn't give it back, and I think the lesson for the child is that we don't 'own' animals, but care for them. It is a privilege to have a pet, not a right and those who don't look after them properly don't deserve to have them.
Pity is, they will probably get another disposable, replacement pet :(

I'm not a cat person but that wouldn't keep me from trying to save the cat! Maybe you could find a good home for it!?! You probably don't want to keep it in your home...what if those neighbors see it and call the cops on you? Animal control is just going to put it to sleep. I definitely wouldn't give it back. Sad thing is they will probably get another animal and abuse it. Report it! Maybe they'll eventually learn their lesson.

*sigh* Reading this just makes me want to cry

I am a big animal lover. i would sneek over, and get the dog out, and bring him home with me. I would also keep the cat.

I wonder what ever happened - and by the way, cat's choose us not the other way around - can't help it if the cat chose her - can't really steal something if they really don't own it.

I'd find a loving home for it. Even if you do rescue this little guy, it doesn't mean that they won't get more animals. :(

The hardest thing to do is usually the best thing. You should go over to your neighbor and try and talk with them. Maybe explain to them that you are here to help take care of the cat and ask them if they really want the cat and why, of course this takes a great deal of diplomacy. The problem in taking the cat is they will just get another and if you take that cat they will get another...
There is a chance that they really don't think what they are doing is wrong, most people who do terrible things don't even know it. They might accept your help and learn from you. This would also teach your child that as hard as it is we all have to approach people with love even though we disagree with them. I think that is the best solution for this problem. I have unfortunately known people like this and believe it or not they usually let me help take care of their animals. People like that think you are crazy that you care that the animal is being taken care of and they usually let you do whatever you want to. Think about it, at least when they get more pets you will be the first to know and you can help.

Well, I woudn't

No, I would not give back the kitten. The kitten is helpless and cannot protect nor fend for him/herself. That is the lesson I would want to teach my child, that sometimes people are cruel to animals and it is up to us to protect them. I would not give it back and I would take the kitten a shelter or somewhere where they would find a good, loving and responsible home for it.

I would not give it back either!!