Question
My sister could no longer care for her cat. She asked me to keep her. It’s been 2 and half years and she wants the cat back. The cat is our family and she never come to see her or visit other than holiday functions. Can she legally take the cat back?
Answer
People who sell or give their animal away generally have no further rights to that animal and the person to whom the animal was sold or gifted generally has no legal obligation to return the animal. People who believe that their animal may be seized should take extra precautions to safeguard the animal. I hope that you and your sister can work out a custody/visitation arrangement that is in the best interests of this cat. In the meantime, it may be helpful to gather evidence that the animal has been in your possession for more than two years, proof that the animal was gifted (even texts and emails), veterinary records, etc.
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