DEAR ABBY: I live in a duplex, and my neighbor has a cat I'll call "Sox" that's positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). I'm a cat lover with a kitty of my own.
To prevent the spread of infection, FIV cats are never supposed to be allowed outside, but my neighbor lets Sox come and go as he pleases. Abby, he comes to our house and uses our cat door to access our cat food and water bowl. I know Sox is at times left without food and water, so I'm reluctant to restrict his access to our food, but my cat has picked up respiratory infections because Sox contaminated the bowl. I also have to get my cat tested for FIV during his annual exams, at an added cost of $60.
My question: Would it be fair of me to request that my neighbor pay for some or all of the extra expenses associated with treatment and testing due to the FIV exposure? I have asked if she could offer Sox my brand of kibble at her house so he'll be less interested in coming to our house unless he really needs food or water. She refused. I'm not sure if I'm asking too much, or if I should expect her to work with me to help offset the costs of her free-roaming, FIV-infected kitty. -- FELINE CARE
DEAR FELINE: Under the circumstances, I don't think it's unfair to ask your irresponsible neighbor to cooperate with you on this. However, if she wouldn't spring for something as simple as the kibble, don't hold your breath.
The solution to your problem is to make Sox's access to your home impossible by securing the cat door. And if her cat is mingling with and possibly infecting other cats in the neighborhood, call Animal Control and report it.