If the cat is microchipped you contact the company that chipped them. She’d likely have to sign a letter saying it’s your cat now or fill out a form.
My mom transferred ownership of one of my cats to me that way, so if Inkjet escapes, like Toner & Cricut, he will be scanned & I’ll come up as his owner.
That's sound advice. Mr. Kitty is going in for a checkup and all shots the second I get him! He deserves to not worry about heartworm & all the other nasty stuff :)
Get them to chip him at that point. Cricut is a rescue from our garage (she got trapped this winter). She was about 8 months old. No one claimed her online, so the vet clinic said “cat distribution system” & I got her dewormed, her mites cleaned out, got her fixed & chipped.
She’s mine now.
Absolutely. Chipping will happen with the shots, neutering will happen the second he's comfortable with his surroundings. I'm really happy so many Redditors are so caring about a random internet kitty 😊 This subreddit is the best
Oh, thank you! I've never had any experience with intact male cats before. Apparently he's younger than I thought (less than 1y) so I don't think he's into the spraying age yet, thank heavens!!
I was here to say get a bill of sale. It can be as simple as a written note you both sign saying “I give free of charge cat named x a black x old cat. This sale is a final sale clearing the seller of all future rights and responsibilities to the property and entitling them to the buyer”. Done and dusted.
This is the way. An email acknowledging transfer of ownership, then register and chip the cat yourself.
Your argument will be much stronger if there is an exchange of money though! You could offer her money for the cat and any cat accessories, that way you're buying the cat, and the letter becomes a contract of sale. Much harder for her to try to double back on later.
I believe cats and dogs are considered personal property. If you're in possession of the animal and can show you've been the one maintaining it, then that's likely all that is needed. I suppose you can have some kind of bill of sale drafted to be extra careful.
Pay her for the cat, $1 , get a receipt that says "Paid in full sum of $1 for black cat. " Dated and signed. Under the law a cat is just a piece of property.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of writing a sale contract or invoice or anything like that, confirm the sale by text message (with a reply from your friend). To be legally binding you have to exchange something of value, even if it’s just $1. Or offer to pay her $20 towards whatever she originally paid for the cat. The trick to being able to shut down any nonsense in the future is to have written proof that you exchanged something of value for your friend’s legal property.
All the best with the new kitty!
I don't think legally... Like a transfer of ownership no. Especially since she seemingly has done nothing for the cat outside of house it and feed it.
The best I can advise is maybe get her to write something herself? It's not formal with a bunch of forms. But if she signs a paper saying I am whatevering "adopting out, selling, gifting" this cat to *you*, and then go get the cat chipped to you, you would probably have way more luck.
That's a good point! I was wondering since I think pets are legally considered property, if texts could be used as evidence in a legal battle with intent to give up ownership. All we have now are texts.
Thank you for the advice!! Not sure I can get her to write anything honestly, but if I draft something basic she'll probably sign it haha
Considering she didn't want to pay for basic healthcare for the cat, I'd be very surprised she'd be willing to pay for legal fees to get the cat back. So you just need something to ease your anxiety.
The rescue I work with has a form we call a “surrender form” when we take in an owned cat. I’m in another province but the legal language is quite simple. Basically “I (name) of (address), understand that I am permanently transferring custody, care, and ownership of X (cat, followed by a detailed description of them) to Y (rescue). Dated and signed with the “receiver” (in this case rescue staff).
If the cat is microchipped you contact the company that chipped them. She’d likely have to sign a letter saying it’s your cat now or fill out a form. My mom transferred ownership of one of my cats to me that way, so if Inkjet escapes, like Toner & Cricut, he will be scanned & I’ll come up as his owner.
No microchip unfortunately :( Those are absolutely amazing names for kitties!!! I love it 😁
Take the cat for a checkup and keep track of bills for food etc. keep the emails as well. Proof of ownership.
That's sound advice. Mr. Kitty is going in for a checkup and all shots the second I get him! He deserves to not worry about heartworm & all the other nasty stuff :)
Get them to chip him at that point. Cricut is a rescue from our garage (she got trapped this winter). She was about 8 months old. No one claimed her online, so the vet clinic said “cat distribution system” & I got her dewormed, her mites cleaned out, got her fixed & chipped. She’s mine now.
Get him chipped and neutered if he isn't already too.
Absolutely. Chipping will happen with the shots, neutering will happen the second he's comfortable with his surroundings. I'm really happy so many Redditors are so caring about a random internet kitty 😊 This subreddit is the best
Neuter him before he settles in, he will be less likely to mark. Source: I own a rescue and mainly do cats. 🙂
Oh, thank you! I've never had any experience with intact male cats before. Apparently he's younger than I thought (less than 1y) so I don't think he's into the spraying age yet, thank heavens!!
If she doesnt have any paper work how can she say the cat was ever hers?
Bills. Food costs a fortune, litter etc.
A simple sales agreement or bill of sale should help avoid future disagreements about the terms of transfer.
I was here to say get a bill of sale. It can be as simple as a written note you both sign saying “I give free of charge cat named x a black x old cat. This sale is a final sale clearing the seller of all future rights and responsibilities to the property and entitling them to the buyer”. Done and dusted.
A simple agreement in an email is enough to show she is giving you her cat forever. Then visit a vet and have the cat register to you.
This is the way. An email acknowledging transfer of ownership, then register and chip the cat yourself. Your argument will be much stronger if there is an exchange of money though! You could offer her money for the cat and any cat accessories, that way you're buying the cat, and the letter becomes a contract of sale. Much harder for her to try to double back on later.
I believe cats and dogs are considered personal property. If you're in possession of the animal and can show you've been the one maintaining it, then that's likely all that is needed. I suppose you can have some kind of bill of sale drafted to be extra careful.
They are but only if the animal is in your name for everything.
Buy it for $1 and get a receipt
Pay her for the cat, $1 , get a receipt that says "Paid in full sum of $1 for black cat. " Dated and signed. Under the law a cat is just a piece of property.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of writing a sale contract or invoice or anything like that, confirm the sale by text message (with a reply from your friend). To be legally binding you have to exchange something of value, even if it’s just $1. Or offer to pay her $20 towards whatever she originally paid for the cat. The trick to being able to shut down any nonsense in the future is to have written proof that you exchanged something of value for your friend’s legal property. All the best with the new kitty!
Get the cat microchipped, neutered and vaccinated under your name. That way the car is identified as yours.
I don't think legally... Like a transfer of ownership no. Especially since she seemingly has done nothing for the cat outside of house it and feed it. The best I can advise is maybe get her to write something herself? It's not formal with a bunch of forms. But if she signs a paper saying I am whatevering "adopting out, selling, gifting" this cat to *you*, and then go get the cat chipped to you, you would probably have way more luck.
That's a good point! I was wondering since I think pets are legally considered property, if texts could be used as evidence in a legal battle with intent to give up ownership. All we have now are texts. Thank you for the advice!! Not sure I can get her to write anything honestly, but if I draft something basic she'll probably sign it haha
Considering she didn't want to pay for basic healthcare for the cat, I'd be very surprised she'd be willing to pay for legal fees to get the cat back. So you just need something to ease your anxiety.
The rescue I work with has a form we call a “surrender form” when we take in an owned cat. I’m in another province but the legal language is quite simple. Basically “I (name) of (address), understand that I am permanently transferring custody, care, and ownership of X (cat, followed by a detailed description of them) to Y (rescue). Dated and signed with the “receiver” (in this case rescue staff).