What would you do?

[Crayons09]

I don't come on the cat side much anymore since my Chaucer passed away. But I have a question. So my friend and I found this cute little tabby cat in the hallway of her apartment. I took him to my place because she already has 3 cats. When he was here he flinched if you made any fast movements with your hands around him. He would crumple into a tiny little ball like you were going to hit him. His owners came looking for him that day so we gave him back. Well my friend has found him out in the hall a multiple times since and she will bring him back to them and they act like they didn't even notice that he was missing or even cared. Well she found him again tonight and he was almost outside. I'm from Minnesota and its not the warmest to say the least. He would freeze instantly if he got out. Its a whopping -17 F below zero right now. I guess what I'm asking is would you bring him back? He is now at my place but I can't keep him because my roommate is allergic to cats. (otherwise he would be my cat in a heartbeat) Would you bring him back or would you just find him a new home where you know he will be loved and cared for? and if they ask about him say we haven't seen him.
Here is the cutie

[moosmom]

Would you bring him back or would you just find him a new home where you know he will be loved and cared for? and if they ask about him say we haven't seen him.

Absolutely not!!! If the cat "flinched" chances are the cat is either NOT being taken care of (found roaming the hallways??? Um...NO!) or is being abused.

Make him go "poof". Tell the FORMER OWNERS that the cat must've gotten out of the building and you haven't seen it.

Am I asking you to lie??? Hell yeah!!! Sometimes you HAVE to in the name of animal rescue. These people OBVIOUSLY don't care what happens to the cat. Please find him a furrrrever home where someone will love and PROTECT him!!!

[catmandu]

Donna as usual is 100% right.
A act who flinches does so as he has learned to duck and cover from a hand that has been raised to strike him.
He is such a big gorgeous Tabby Cat, and he deserves a much better home than the one that he has now.
Good Luck with his rescue and God Bless You for caring.

[chocolatepuppy]

Out in the hall one time is one thing, multiple times, no! I vote for the kitten going *poof*.

[3Catcondo]

I would do just as Donna says. Hell no those people don't deserve him back. Obviously they aren't taking care of him properly or he wouldn't keep ending up in the hallway where he could get outside, furthermore it sounds as if he's been beaten or abused if he's flinching. Do you best to find him a more suitable forever home. He sure is cute and he deserves it!


Amy

[pomtzu]

Poof Goes The Kitty

I'm definitely in agreement with that........

My RB Meezer Ming was a poofed kitty. My SIL and BIL knew he was being abused, so they poofed him off the balcony of the apartment where he was being abused. He was maybe 6 months old at the time, and came to live with me. He lived to the ripe old age of 20 in my care. Hate to think of what would have happened to him otherwise..........

[Laura's Babies]

I went through this before I got Samantha, I cried every time I had to hand her back over to that former "mom"... I had made arrangements and she was fixing to go "poof" the very night the lady asked me if I still wanted her and could keep her.. "POOF" the kitty.... but all they will do is get another one to mistreat...

[momcat]

The fact that this cutie flinches and rolls into a ball at hand movement is setting off alarms in my head about possible abuse. His reaction seems to be to protect himself. Your post gives me serious doubts about this kitty's safety and well being with the owners. On this one, I have to go with the poof folks. All of my instincts say all is not well for this kitty.

[krazyaboutkatz]

The fact that this cutie flinches and rolls into a ball at hand movement is setting off alarms in my head about possible abuse. His reaction seems to be to protect himself. Your post gives me serious doubts about this kitty's safety and well being with the owners. On this one, I have to go with the poof folks. All of my instincts say all is not well for this kitty.

I agree. When I adopted Storm from the Humane Society he would also flinch when I would try to pet his head. He had been owned by a man that didn't want him any more and he was found roaming around outside by some one who then brought him to the HS. He was abandoned. It took him quite a while to learn that I was only going to pet him and nothing more.

I know that sometimes cats will door dash and get out but I would then also think that his owners would then immediately start looking for him as soon as they noticed he was gone. Since they still haven't even noticed or even seem to care, I don't think they want him any more. Please poof this wonderful cat.

[kitten645]

I am a firm believe in gut instinct. If you see this kitty flinch and you think abuse, I'd go with that. I always tell my Calvin "You'd think you were abused" by the way he hides at any unfamiliar noise or voice. But he NEVER flinches at any movement I make. I think that little voice in your head should be listened to. That kitty is much too young to be flinching and clearly if he's in the hall multiple times they don't even know where he is. Calvin was a darter when I lived in an apartment but hello...there's only one door in an apartment. How hard is it to notice a cat dashing by you especially when you know he's a dasher.
POOF THE KITTY!

[Crayons09]

No one has tried looking for him to my knowledge. We have had him since 8pm last night. He is the type of cat that would be very hard to miss if he got out. He is pretty much a little shadow. No matter where you go he is right behind you. These people obviously don't care about him since they haven't even tried looking for him. There is No way they wouldn't notice him not being there. Thanks for all the replies. I will keep everyone updated on him

[phesina]

I agree COMPLETELY with the yes-poof crowd. Good for you, Crayons09!

I look forward to reading updates on this lucky little guy. Have you named him yet?