My cat gave birth at my neighbour's house - what should I do?

PandaJovial8999
Pandajovial8999 Icon representing the flag French
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Hello, let me explain my situation...

My neighbour often puts food out for stray cats on her windowsill, but one of my cats (a female) goes there to eat when her own bowl at home is empty.

However, my cat was pregnant and she ended up giving birth at my neighbour's, probably in the garden or a shed...

I went to see my neighbour to ask her about it; she said she'd let me know that same evening, but I still haven't heard anything and I'm left without an answer. My cat comes home but then heads back to my neighbour's, presumably to nurse her babies.

Today, some children went over to her place and she was talking about kittens, but as soon as I stepped out of the house she stopped talking immediately. She didn't even say hello, not a single word.

What can I do to get my kittens back?

Can I take any legal action against her? I'm a bit lost as to what to do. I'm also due to move house shortly and I'd really like to get my cat and her kittens back with me before then...

Translated from French
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3 answers
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    Chatzen Icon representing the flag French
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    To be honest, your situation is a tricky one... but it's not a lost cause.

    First of all, the most important thing: if she is definitely your cat, the kittens belong to you as well, even if they were born at your neighbour's house. However, without identification (a microchip), things can get murky quite quickly... so if she isn't microchipped, that might work against you.

    What I find a bit concerning is that your neighbour has stopped communicating. It definitely gives the impression that she wants to keep the kittens or at least control the situation.

    👉 This is what I’d do in your shoes:

    • Go back and see her calmly (don't make it a confrontation)

    • Tell her simply that you want to get your cat + her kittens back before you move

    • Suggest a gentle compromise (e.g. letting her keep one kitten if you feel she’s bonded with it, but only if YOU are happy with that)

    At the same time:

    • Keep feeding your cat well at your place — she’ll always come back

    • Watch exactly where she goes so you can locate the kittens

    ⚠️ Don't leave it too long, especially with your move coming up.

    Honestly, in these kinds of situations, talking it out is usually what resolves things... but you have to be clear about the fact that she is your pet.

    Hang in there — and please come back and let us know how things progress 🙏

    Chatzen 🐾

    Translated from French
    Kikaah
    Kikaah Icon representing the flag French
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    I get the feeling your neighbour would quite like to keep the kittens for herself… you could offer to let her have one, but insist that you need to be able to see them and get them sorted out properly (it’s actually the law that you can’t rehome a kitten that hasn’t been microchipped), which would give you some peace of mind. Is your cat microchipped? You can’t really take any legal action against her; she could just claim she wasn't aware there were cats in her garden and, since they’re too small to be microchipped, they don’t officially belong to anyone, so it isn’t technically theft—especially as she isn’t stopping your cat from coming and going… How soon are you moving?
    Translated from French
    ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there,

    I understand how stressful this situation must be, especially with your move coming up…

    Legally speaking, the kittens belong to the owner of the mother cat, provided she is correctly microchipped in your name, even if they were born at your neighbour's house.

    The only thing I can suggest is trying to talk to your neighbour again calmly, explaining that you know your cat gave birth at her place and that you’d like to get them back for their own well-being.

    In the meantime, let your cat go back and forth as she pleases—it’s normal, she’s just looking after her litter. Do keep feeding her well at home so she has enough energy to nurse.

    Best of luck with this tricky situation,

    Maëlla

    Translated from French

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