I’ve been taking care of a cat for 3 years, now the person wants him back

Question

I was asked to watch over a friends cat while he found an apartment in October of 2019. Since then, I have loved, cared, and provided a healthy and happy home for this cat. I’ve paid for all his food, toys, litter, and vet bills. Now that friend is stating he wants “his” cat back. I refuse to give the cat back because he is happy and healthy and is mine, it’s been almost 3 years since he abandoned this cat. I think I have the right to refuse giving the cat back, I feel he’s rightfully mine at this point. How can I legally refuse his request to get him to stop threatening to take my cat?

Answer

People who believe that their animals are being wrongfully withheld can sue to try to get them returned (although many more people threaten to sue than sue) and can contact the police, (although the police tend not to get involved in pet custody disputes). I cannot predict the outcome of any given pet custody case but three years is a very long time to leave an animal in another person’s care and expect to get the animal returned, unless boarding fees have been paid for all of this time and/or there was an ongoing agreement to foster. A court may deem an animal abandoned or gifted depending on the evidence presented. Good luck!