Sometimes I just don't know about people... (pics of kitty pg2)

 Hehe, Ron, I think I have her address around here somewhere....lol

I also don't think he'd have much of a wait at the shelter.  In fact, I bet if you were to post that pic somewhere for adoption, you'd get some calls pretty quickly.  He's stunning!  And I'm soooo not a cat person!

 Squeee!!!  I love him!  I must say ::Sniff::  None of my black cats have green eyes!

He is gorgeous!!  Those eyes....I can't stop staring at them!

You're wonderful for taking this sweet boy in.  You'll find him a home in no time!!

 Keep your fingers crossed, guys...due to some absoultely incredible generosity he's scheduled to be neutered tomorrow!!  He's been hanging around our yard/area/porch for the past few days and seems to have made himself very much at home (and reeeeeeally pulling on my heartstrings).  He follows me around when we're outside and rolls over on his back so I'll scratch his tummy whenever I pet him.  I got him a little collar today just to put some kind of "I AM being cared for" mark on him (so also if anyone else is caring for him hopefully they'll be able to track me down and we can work it out from there), and he looks rather dapper in it if you ask me.   He pretty much owns our papazon chair that we got free at a yardsale and that's in the porch, and that's where he sleeps at night.  I put him in there and put out a litter box in case he needs the bathroom and then I'll go down in the morning and open the door so he can go in/out as he pleases.  Every time I go out to see him he MEOWPs at me and comes trotting over to say hi.  I had a couple scares yesterday when I couldn't find him anywhere, but after a few minutes he comes bouncing over from a neighbor's yard.

Now I've run into a snag in regards to the legality of the issue... I went to call animal control and the AC officer is gone until the 27th so I can't get any information from the actual source until then, which is really frustrating.  The vet recommended that I let someone know that I'm going to be having him neutered just in case something happens and someone tries to claim ownership of him (which quite frankly I can't imagine happening, I'm pretty sure the original owners moved to Florida) and by law I'd be required to give him back even after the neuter.  I called the police station and the guy said "it's not that simple" when I mentioned adopting a stray and forwarded my call to the absent AC officer's line without giving me a chance to explain further.    So helpful.   Now I'm a little nervous of somehow getting snagged with some silly fine or something like that for taking care of him.  I know the laws are going to be different everywhere, but does anyone have any kind of experience with this kind or know how I should go about things?

Have you put up any "I found this cat" posters - see if anyone responds?  Surely that shows that you are NOT stealing, merely caring for a creature that needed it while you made an honest effort to track down the original owners.

I wouldn't include a photo or detailed description tho - just "if you have lost a cat, please call me" type of thing, because some people are time wasters, or are just after a freebie!

ron2

oranges81

 *cough* Package him up and send him to me!! *cough* Lol. I love black cats and he reminds me of Crombie. I'd take him in a heartbeat if I was closer.

Be careful what you ask for. If you were to accidently have a po box to send money to in order to pay for transpo, you might just have a dark cat crossing your path.

 

OH! I wouldn't question that! We're in the market for a second cat anyways. Lol. Alex wants a kitten but he melted when I showed him these pictures.

 I doubt that you will get fined for taking care of him but you might have to give him back.  However, if you keep all your receipts for food, collar and vet bills on hand for a year, then no one is going to doubt that you have taken him in.  Are there any spay/neuter laws in your area?  No un-neutered roaming animals allowed, etc?  If so, then getting him neutered should not be a problem as you are just obeying the laws.

I would think that worst case scenario is that if someone came back to claim him and was mad that you had him neutered, they could potentially sue for "lost revenue" or some such crap.  Keep your receipts and a log of when you first saw him and then when you first began to care for him, when you put the collar on, and all that and I can't believe a judge would grant them anything, especially if the time frame is very long.

tashakota

I would think that worst case scenario is that if someone came back to claim him and was mad that you had him neutered, they could potentially sue for "lost revenue" or some such crap. 

I think in that case, though, they'd have to prove they'd get some sort of income out of selling domestic shorthair kittens.

Definitely keep receipts and keep track of dates, but I doubt you'll have much of an issue.

 Yeah I've been keeping everything pretty much.  Though I have to wonder, considering the condition he's in right now,if there is some way to prove that he was NOT being taken care of - a confirmation from the vet that he is underweight and that it's not due to a health issue, also the presence of fleas, not being neutered, etc perhaps.  But then again I'm no expert on how the law works and sometimes things don't seem to work logically.  To be honest I'm not that concerned...if he'd had a source of food at all he would not have been standing piteously in the middle of the road meowing loudly to no one in particular or asking strangers for food in the parking lot of a nearby supermarket, as evidenced by the fact that he has not to my knowledge left within eyesight of my yard since I started feeding him and he's had plenty opportunity.

 I will have to take pictures of him in his collar, he looks quite dapper!  He's at the vets being neutered/vaxed right now (yay!) and should be able to come home tomorrow morning.  The little guy was so nervous in the exam room but still balled himself up in my lap while we were waiting for the FIV results (negative!).  He does this thing that nearly snaps my heart in two when he's curled up in my lap...just the way he leans back every once in a while to gaze very calmly and adoringly into my eyes and then readjusts himself up closer against my body.  *siigh*  I think I'm in love.

 Also if someone tried to sue for "revenue" that would just make me plain sick...

 ETA: Whoops one other thing:  I spoke to a woman at the local animal shelter and she said that there's no law in this town that states that  cats need to be brought to a holding facility (that's only for dogs apparently) and that if I wanted to have him neutered it would be "terrific" in her words.  She didn't seem to see any problem with it at all.

laws everywhere are different -- every single town can be completely different.  There are some 'state' laws but even those can be over-ridden by more strict county/town laws.  But as I said before -- laws tend to be protective -- and a tom off the streets and not able to make baby kitties is probably not going to be a problem.

 Have you named him yet?

 I'm thinking about calling him Neo, not because of the Matrix (though that's what everyone will think I'm sure) but because of a much dorkier reason.  He's a very mink-colored beast and with minks and weasels holding such a special place in my heart...well... Neovison vison is the latin name for mink.  And for some reason it suits his personality.  But it's still not definite.  :)

Ok... I'm in love with Neo (love the name) he looks so much like my Luke, green eyes are so magical, I'm sure he is as adorable as him. He is also very lucky, because he found you! Bless his little heart and yours.

Very sweet.

I'm just catching up on this thread --- what an amazingly gorgeous kitty!  Those eyes --- yikes!  And to have an affectionate nature to go along with those looks just makes him irresistible.  I'd be falling in love with him, too!

I hope the neutering went well and that you settle into a routine that works for you (and your household) so he can stay with you permanently!  I think you'll make each other very happy.  I like the name, Neo.  I'm so glad you've been able to help him.  His other "family" (using the term loosely, because they didn't act like one) didn't deserve him.  He's much better off with you!