Cat locked inside vacant home by Realtor. Who is responsible?

**Bella** · 09-16-2010, 07:16 PM

I got notice today of a cat with no food or water making a mess inside the for sale home. I have not been to this house in 6 months, it is being foreclosed on now.

It belongs to a sick family member of mine.

I assumed I am responsible but my spouse says the Realtor is for letting the cat in.

He feels so correct he wants to call the Realtor tomorrow.

I feel bad for the cat, but it lives in the complex or close by. Would the cat owner be responsible maybe? The cat has tags on it.

**Evan Bedard** · 09-16-2010, 07:40 PM

Hello Bella,

Wow that is a very unique scenario you mentioned and one I have never heard before. It could be the owner of the cats fault, but you just never know how it will play out. It will be very unfortunate if the seller is the one who has to make up for the damages to the property.. Maybe someone else here has some insight on this situation..

**Bella** · 09-16-2010, 10:42 PM

I do not have access to the property anymore. I gave the Realtor the keys upon COE that never happened...
So, I assume they are in charge of removing the cat and feces etc...

As I stated, the property is in foreclosure, but listed as a Short Sale after 9 months as a reg sale...I am so sick of this property.

**jakelabry** · 09-17-2010, 03:04 AM

Yeah, keep arguing about who's responsible and pretty soon you won't have to worry because the cat will be dead and won't that be a nice mess. This is the home of a sick family member, not some stranger, and an animal that is suffering through no fault of it's own. Personally, I would do whatever is necessary, contact whatever authorities I needed to to get the cat out of there, and then worry about finding someone to blame.

**Bella** · 09-17-2010, 07:28 PM

The cat is fine, he had tags on, lives in complex and he is back with his owner.

The property is a mess of fur, and the cat went to the bathroom on the carpet, which was in excellent condition.

I have no idea what to do, her insurance maybe would cover it??

**Bella** · 09-17-2010, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by jakelabry

Yeah, keep arguing about who's responsible and pretty soon you won't have to worry because the cat will be dead and won't that be a nice mess. This is the home of a sick family member, not some stranger, and an animal that is suffering through no fault of it's own. Personally, I would do whatever is necessary, contact whatever authorities I needed to to get the cat out of there, and then worry about finding someone to blame.

You are an *******. i have been taking CARE OF MY MOTHER...

YOU ARE AN *******.

SO YOU CHOOSE A CAT OVER A MOTHER, GREAT EXAMPLE IDIOT.

**jakelabry** · 09-18-2010, 06:30 AM

I'm an *******? For what? For suggesting that it was best to remedy the situation first, rescue the cat AND THEN figure out who to blame? Well, I guess I'll take ******* along with fruit loop because a simple phone call to the appropriate authorities makes more sense to me than posting on a forum asking for advice or who's right, you or your husband. In the amount of time it has taken me to respond to your ridiculous accusation, I could have called my local animal control folks while still caring for MY sick parent.

**Bella** · 09-18-2010, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by jakelabry

I'm an *******? For what? For suggesting that it was best to remedy the situation first, rescue the cat AND THEN figure out who to blame? Well, I guess I'll take ******* along with fruit loop because a simple phone call to the appropriate authorities makes more sense to me than posting on a forum asking for advice or who's right, you or your husband. In the amount of time it has taken me to respond to your ridiculous accusation, I could have called my local animal control folks while still caring for MY sick parent.

You have no idea how much time and energy goes to wiping my LO ass and making sure she does not fall, again...

I hope you can still wipe your own ass cuz one day in your future, somebody else may be wiping it for you, as you drool over your lunch.

Have a nice day!

**sandycane** · 09-19-2010, 01:02 AM

Bella,I have a sick 23 year old daughter who has a very rare disease and takes 24 hr care for all her needs.I understand how taxing it mentally can be.I would never dream of talking to anyone in such a manner and I think you need to get someone to come into the home so you can have a break.I am more worried about you then the cat because you sound like you could use a break .Please dont take this in a negative way.

tryinmybest · 09-19-2010, 01:31 AM

Jakelabry,

I agree with you. We are talking about the life of an animal, in my viewpoint, all life is sacred. I can only imagine
how scared the poor cat must have been.

Goodness Bella, get control of yourself. Calling another member vulgar names is quite childish. Save the names
for who deserves it. i.e. B of A, Chase, etc etc.

**Chris Sorensen** · 09-20-2010, 08:14 AM

If the property is still in short sale status, this means that the original owner is still ultimately responsible. If there is insurance, file a claim. If the Realtor has admitted to letting the cat in and walking away (Doubtful), you may have a small claims action against the agent for negligence. However, you'll need to first get a bid for correcting the situation.
In teh end, the wonderful thing about the Internet is you can ask a question and often get a response. The response you get may not be what you like, so take the best and leave the rest.

There are so many that come to this forum who are literally hurting emotionally in a way that is hard for all of us to understand. Before we respond, perhaps asking ourselves; "What would Jesus do?" is a way of tempering our written words. Just offering my humble opinion.

**goldie** · 09-20-2010, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by sandycane

Bella,I have a sick 23 year old daughter who has a very rare disease and takes 24 hr care for all her needs.I understand how taxing it mentally can be.I would never dream of talking to anyone in such a manner and I think you need to get someone to come into the home so you can have a break.I am more worried about you then the cat because you sound like you could use a break .Please dont take this in a negative way.

I agree with you Sandy. Bella isn't usually like this - the toll of being a caregiver is unbelievably stressful & maybe she just reached her breaking point. I agree with trying and Jake that an animal's life - any life - is precious. I'll even take insects out of the house (when feasable!!!) & avoid using poisons if possible. I'm not a Buddhist, but I admire their way of thinking on life is precious to all of us.

That being said, I would still take a giant flyswatter to a bankster or lobbyist or corrupt congress person - splat! Yeah, I know, I'm quite the hypocrite there.