Sellers moved away and left their family cats

Member since 2020 · 5 posts · 1 vote

Dear BP Community,

I bought a house in Chicago and the sellers decided to abandon their 2 family cats inside the property. What’s the best course of action to get rid of these cats? Thank you

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Colin Reid

Investor · St Petersburg, FL · Member since 2014 · 231 posts · 221 votes

I ended up with cats outside my house. One acts like he used to live in my unit, always trying to get in. He's been outside, and the property vacant, since the first time I looked at it, so I don't know if he was born feral, or if he used to be a pet. I'm allergic, so he's never coming in, but I was fine with a "barn cat" model, keeping pests away. The advice I got was to keep him fed, because cats don't hunt for food, they hunt for fun, and if they're hungry, they're not going to hunt. So I found the cheapest cat food Walmart had, and a $3 pet food bowl, and now Mooch is my loyal outside guard cat. He also brings all his friends (at least half a dozen strays and/or outside cats on my block) for chow in the morning, and the rain in FL usually keeps the water full. If not, I fill it up when I see it empty.

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Kenton LeVay
Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2018 · 119 posts · 114 votes
6y
Well this is a new one...A lot of people stuck in their apartments during COVID may be looking for a 4-legged friend. Maybe reach out to a local animal shelter?
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Joe S.Pro Member
Investor · San Antonio · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
6y
You basically call the animal shelter/animal control. They will come get the furry sweethearts. There is a chance they will be rehomed and there is a chance they will not be. It is what it is.
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Kerry O'Kelly
New to Real Estate · Highlands Ranch, CO · Member since 2018 · 5 posts · 0 votes
6y
@Jason Lovemore
Do you have any idea how long the cats were there alone? You might want to call Animal control or an agency that deals with abandoned/sick animals. Also it’s up to you on whether you want to try to get them animal violation charges. I have seen this situation (in a different scenario with other animals) but sometimes people get charged for this type of thing.
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Abby Weinstock
Lender · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2020 · 115 posts · 70 votes
6y
Here is the information for Animal Care and Control in Chicago: https://www.chicago.gov/city/e...

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Marcus Johnson
Investor · Saint Paul, MN · Member since 2015 · 663 posts · 512 votes
6y
@Jason Lovemore
Open the door and let them free.
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Theresa HarrisPro Member
Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Marcus Johnson:
@Jason Lovemore
Open the door and let them free.

I hope you are being sarcastic as that is the worst thing you can do. Phone the local shelter-hopefully a no kill one, and get them to pick up the cats.
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Scott Mac
Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Jason Lovemore:
Dear BP Community,

I bought a house in Chicago and the sellers decided to abandon their 2 family cats inside the property. What’s the best course of action to get rid of these cats? Thank you

Hi Jason,
Number one thing to do is make sure they have water to drink and some food to eat.
Just put down a pan of water and some Purina until the Chicago No Kill Shelter people come to rescue them for re-homing.
Cats need access to water 24/7 or they may die, and who knows when they ate last.
A box of Purina is only a couple of dollars and an old bowl is free.
Here are some links that you can use to help them find a new family that will care for them better (unless you want to keep them yourself).
https://www.pawschicago.org/no-kill-mission/
https://www.chicagopetrescue.org/no-kill-shelters-in-illinois.html
Good Luck!
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Jason Lovemore
OP
Member since 2020 · 5 posts · 1 vote
6y
Thank you guys for these suggestions.
1 Reply
Colin Reid
Investor · St Petersburg, FL · Member since 2014 · 231 posts · 221 votes
6y
I ended up with cats outside my house. One acts like he used to live in my unit, always trying to get in. He's been outside, and the property vacant, since the first time I looked at it, so I don't know if he was born feral, or if he used to be a pet. I'm allergic, so he's never coming in, but I was fine with a "barn cat" model, keeping pests away. The advice I got was to keep him fed, because cats don't hunt for food, they hunt for fun, and if they're hungry, they're not going to hunt. So I found the cheapest cat food Walmart had, and a $3 pet food bowl, and now Mooch is my loyal outside guard cat. He also brings all his friends (at least half a dozen strays and/or outside cats on my block) for chow in the morning, and the rain in FL usually keeps the water full. If not, I fill it up when I see it empty.
2 Reply
Joe SplitrockPro Member
Moderator
Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
6y
@Jason Lovemore I am curious, did you really not know what to do in this situation?
2 Reply
Pam Krull
Investor · Ocala, FL · Member since 2013 · 22 posts · 21 votes
6y
I hope you followed the sound advice of @Scott Mac and DID NOT listen to @Marcus Johnson.
There's doing the EASY thing, and then there's doing the RIGHT thing.
1 Reply
Matt M.
Specialist · Easton, PA · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
6y
@Jason Lovemore
I hope for your sake evictions are opened up in Chicago. I’d file on those furry friends ASAP.
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