I obviously don't know which state your in-laws live in but in most states abandoning an animal the way they did is against the law and is punishable. If I knew your in-laws I would be informing the police and other local authorities about the abandonment of the cat in the desert and the dog thrown off the balcony. Unfortunately for the animals I don't know your in-laws so I have no way of making this information available to the proper authorities.

I am sorry for you that you have such pathetic people in your family. They say you can pick your friends but unfortunately you can't pick your family. I know as a cat lover you must be very upset to hear of such things. Just also keep in mind that if you are aware of an illegal act and do nothing to prevent or report such occurances then at the very least morally you are also responsible. However, I also understand what a horrible situation you are being put in because it is your IN-LAWS and as such you have your husband to contend with.

Good luck to you and the cat. I hope it is not still out there dying of thirst and hunger. Most likely not.