Legal Question in Civil Litigation in New York
Over three weeks ago, a small kitten was wandering around my neighborhood as if it was lost and meowing at everybody's front doors on a day when the temperature was below freezing. I decided to take the cat inside. I asked several of my neighbors if anyone was looking for a cat, took it to the vet to see if it had a microchip or anyone was looking for it, posted on Craig's List daily and posted on the local newspaper's website. After two weeks, I decided that no one was looking for the cat and I would keep it. So, I took it to the vet for shots & an exam, which cost $211. Now, someone has put up posters for the missing cat (three weeks after I found it). Legally, am I obligated to return the cat to its owner? If so, who is responsible for paying the $211 vet bill?