Stolen Cat

Hi all,
I have a 2 year old cat who is at my ex boyfriend place.
last year I was going to a business trip for two months and asked him to take care of my cat and he agreed.
When I was back he said we should keep the cat at his place because it is bigger place and he is happier.
After he insisted I agreed. We also got a new kitten two months ago to play with him. I visited them every weekend and the cats slept in bed with me. The older cat is so attached to me.
Recently we broke up and my boyfriend refuses to give back my cat, he even threatened that he will sell them both to a stranger to hurt me,
He only told me I can go to a lawyer and make a complain, the problem is I am living in Germany and do not speak German well and have no clue about German legal system

I have the documents which proves the older cat is mine and his microchip is in my name., however, I am sure he tries to change this in his name, Do you know where I can have access to the microchip information in Germany? is there a website to check that?

Anybody knows a better way how I can get him or both of them back?
I am really sad and cry everyday and have nightmares , it has been 4 weeks I could not see them (. I am so devastated ;(

Thanks,

I'm so sorry you're in this position

I'm afraid I can't be much help, but jcat is in Germany and works at a shelter, so hopefully she'll be able to offer some suggestions. I hope you're able to get your kitties back soon

This is really sad. I agree, jcat is probably the best person to ask for advice.

Even though you don't speak German well I suggest you go to the police and file a complaint. It's always better to have a paper trail in these cases. Bringing the problem to the attention of the police is the first step if you do need to resort to legal help later on.

Good luck, I hope you get your cat back.

Do you have the chip number? If so, you can check where the cat is registered, which would be either Tasso or Findefix (Deutsches Haustierregister). Some/Most people at both those places speak English.

Since you can prove ownership, go to the police. There will be somebody there who speaks English and will be able to advise you what the next step is.

jcat said:

Do you have the chip number? If so, you can check where the cat is registered, which would be either Tasso or Findefix (Deutsches Haustierregister). Some/Most people at both those places speak English.

Since you can prove ownership, go to the police. There will be somebody there who speaks English and will be able to advise you what the next step is.

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Thank you very much for your help
Yes, I have the chip number and I have TASSO registration card, but the passport is with my ex,
2 weeks ago my ex changed the TASSO registration in his name but I called them and they changed it back to my name, but they said they won't guarantee it is not changed again, I am also worried my ex goes to the vet and changes the microchip number totally and put his name as the owner,
My ex always told me police will never help me and because I cannot speak German I lose the court, He also threatened that he will sell the cats to some unknown person so even the authorities won't find them, he said in the worst case he will have to pay me some little money, I am so afraid about this
I'm afraid that even if I win the court he hides the cats and tell lies. and I'm afraid that he fakes some documents so I lose
Do I need to go to the vet and ask her to check about the chip information?
I will go to police in this week.

What a horrible situation

I can set your mind at rest with one thing - as far as I know microchip numbers can't be changed once they're in the cat. They're not programmable, rather are purely for identification purposes.

Do go to the police today and set things in motion. Don't listen to your ex - he's just trying to manipulate you

If it does end up in court, once they've made their ruling, the police will enforce it if necessary. Don't let your ex get into your head - he's just trying to stop you from taking action to get your babies back.

Are the cats from a shelter? If so, are you the one who signed the adoption contracts? There might be something in them stating that they have to be returned to the shelter if you personally can't keep them. That would mean the shelter could "repossess" the cats if he tried to sell or give them away. It's not much, but would weaken his threat to sell them. His rehoming them wouldn't be legal.

The chip number can't be altered.

Did you get your cats back?

please tell us!

I finally decided to take legal action.
I went to my law insurance and right now they introduced me to a mediator.
She has sent my ex a letter and gave him time to give my cat back, but there is no news from him yet
I have to wait now

I hope you get them back. Please let us know what happens.

You did the right thing by asking a lawyer to intervene. These things take time, but at least action is being taken now.

Please keep us updated. We're here for you, I know how heartbreaking this must be.