ethics: The stray that wasn't..

What is the legal time that a stray has to be held at the local animal control agency before it can be adopted? Generally, the law will find that if you made a good faith effort to find the owner within that period and notified animal control and other humane agencies, then that animal can be considered unowned and can be adopted by you. YOu now have spent money on this animal and it is listed in your name at a vet which also provides provenance of ownership should any legal issues arise. The tricky part is if a previous owner actually did spend money on vet care or an adoption fee for the animal and it scooted out the door shortly thereafter and then wandered for a while before he found you. If that's the case, then he need to reimburse you for your expenses for his animal before it's returned.

I personally would go take a look at the poster just for my own peace of mind. If for whatever reason the dates were right and the animal looked right, I would give the number a call. BLOCK CALLER ID! *67 I think. If, after you've asked a few pointed questions (like why was this cat in horrible shape and unneutered) you determine that this WAS their cat, then I would have no qualms about keeping him if his absence wasn't just a freak accident. I would also attempt to educate the owners on cat ownership and

(snip)

Give me a break! Cats aren't children's toys and children don't have the knowledge or the means to properly care for animals. Parents are responsible for children's pets and, if this cat is the poster cat, the parents were negligent in searching for the cat and in failing to neuter and treat its earmites. There is no reason to believe they will behave differently next time, if the cat is returned to them.

Let them buy their kid a plastic action figure and let the cat remain with responsible caregivers.

Actually.... they are.

Other than costing additional money for health, food, and cleanliness, they really serve no other purpose.