The first time Isabelle and Yves* (assumed first names) meet Popoduc (editor’s note: downy in Turkish)a cat from the Genthod (GE) neighborhood, they are convinced that she leads a wild life. The low temperatures of January then threaten the survival of this endearing one-year-old European with big eyes bordered by black and white spots. “She was visibly hungry and wouldn’t stop scratching at the window. Feeding her was then an act of compassion,” says Lina*, the couple’s daughter who has become a neighborhood conflict manager.
Having taken a liking to the kitty, the retirees take steps to adopt it. They take her to the vet for an initial check-up, but then it’s a cold shower: “She had a flea that came from SOS Chats. The association quickly identified the owner, Gul Unal, who lived nearby, Lina explains. It was with a heavy heart that my parents brought Popoduc back to him.”
Repeated fugues
Relieved to find her four-legged friend, the owner first thanks the couple. “One day later, the cat was back at my parents’ house,” continues Lina. That’s when everyone agreed to do cat-sharing (editor’s note: shared cat custody).»
Friendly relations quickly turn sour, while the furry girl shows a preference for her new hosts. “It’s obviously because the neighbors continued to feed her,” says Gul Unal, who concludes that the couple’s intentions are dishonest. What right do we have to give food to an animal that is not ours?”
The conflictual turn of communication between neighbors increases crescendo over the months. Hundreds of messages with mutual threats are exchanged regarding Popo’s fate. “I hesitated to lock him up, but it seemed cruel to me. A few times, I managed to get it back, but never in a lasting way, Gul Unal gets angry. These elderly people just seem to enjoy the cat’s company without realizing the impact their behavior is having on my family. My 10-year-old son is very attached to Popoduc and doesn’t understand why someone is stealing it from us with delicious kibble.” She concludes: “I hesitated to file a complaint, but there does not seem to be a very clear legal framework. However, I find that there is a terrible injustice.”
Words that shock Lina. “Even though my parents stop feeding her, the cat keeps coming back,” she insists. She chose them and not the other way around. They didn’t want to take in an animal at first, but Popoduc became very affectionate. It was a favorite.”
Call a cat a cat
If Valérie Derivaz, president of SOS Chats, reserves the right to report proven findings of mistreatment, she emphasizes that “in this specific case, it seems that we just have to accept the needs and the personality of the cat without trying to wanting exclusivity.”
She continues: “Many felines have multiple homes, are attached to multiple places and multiple people. There is no point in wanting to own this animal while accusing each other of mistreatment.”
According to the animal welfare advocate, this type of dispute is common: “For cats who regularly spend time with a human other than their owner, this sometimes goes very well. But as what is good for a cat is open to interpretation, situations can quickly escalate.”
And to conclude: “Cats can trigger passionate emotions; It’s not uncommon for people to think they have a crush on a feline – sometimes even in a photo – and then become very upset when it’s explained to them that it doesn’t suit them.”
Statements echoed by Alexandre Brahier, police spokesperson. According to the peace officer, a complaint in such a scenario would not be admissible by the police and would have to go through a civil court. “In this type of case, it is the happiness of the animal that counts. If it has decided to make its life elsewhere, it must be left.”
