What would you do?

[Freedom]

so, how would you have felt if Mrs Rice decided not to give Sparkle back to you one day? What if, in her mind, the cat preferred her company and obviously you were abusing the kitty since she kept escaping your apartment to begin with?

Sparkle didn't roll in a ball or flinch, and I was out looking for her IMMEDIATELY. HUGE difference, IMO.

[Grace]

Did the owners come looking for him the night he spent with you?

If not, I say poof him. We did that with Grady, 7 years ago. He was 6 months old - not allowed in the house because one of the kids was supposedly allergic. They fed the cats by throwing dry cat food on the garage floor. They lived two doors up the street from us - had 3-4 cats, not one of them neutered or spayed.

We kept Grady. Not once did anyone come looking for him; not once.

[katladyd]

I wouldn't poof the cat just because he flinches. My boyfriend's female kitty, Mau Mau flinches at sudden movements and loud noises. She will either roll into a ball or croch down like she is awaiting a blow. She is NOT ABUSED! If anything, we spoil her rotten. She also gives constant head bumpies and loves and is a complete love bug who climbs in your lap at every opportunity. I would not want someone to poof her if she got outside just because she flinches. Some cats are very sensitive to movement and noise, but they are not being abused. Now, the being outside on several occasions does worry me a bit. Give the kitty back and tell them you are worried because he is outside a lot and you are sure they would be heartbroken if he disappeared. If you keep finding him outside, then maybe he should be poofed. But I would talk to the owner first.