There's these people who keep their new 6 week kitten in their detached garage with just a box, some dirty water, and no food in sight. We live in Michigan and it's getting below freezing at night. I don't get why people are allowed to keep their animals when they don't take care of them... What's the law and what's right are two very different things. They are neighbors of a friend of mine. Is there any legal ways of making sure the cat is taken care of or better, getting it a new home. I was going to just take the cat to a no-kill shelter, but figured I'd ask here first for any ideas.

THAT IS SO EVIL call the animal abuse hot line!
answer mine

I would give your local shelter a call. A six week old kitten needs to be with its mother.

They will be able to tell you if there are any ways to help the kitten.

In considering taking the kitten, if you enter their property, that is trespassing, so that opens you up to some legal risk. If you can lure the kitten off their property, normally you would be in the clear. But I am not a lawyer, so I am not giving legal advice.

STEAL THE CAT AND CALL THE HUMANE SOCIETY!

report SPCA for animal abuse.

1
You need to address the owners and make sure you know the actual condition of the cat.
They may have an area and regular food but you didn't see it properly.
Have your friend help find out.
(The kitten may be being held by a child, perhaps)

2
Offer to take the kitten.

3
Inform authorities.

With the cold coming I wouldn't think that you have so much time to act on it if you want to help the kitten.

but out it's their cat

Oh my god!! Call the authorities immediately and let them investigate it. If you talk to the neighbors first it could bring problems with them. Let the authorities take care of it. It is possible that a child is hiding the kitten from his parents, but unless you are really friendly with the parents, it could start a feud. You can make anonymous reports if you're uncomfortable that there could be a problem with the neighbors. Reporting maybe that you walk by every day and have noticed what sounds like a kitten crying and you're very worried.

Try calling Animal Control. Laws vary from state to state, but I can't imagine that it would be legal to keep a tiny, tiny kitten in a cold garage with no food. Unfortunately, if you live as far north as Michigan, you run the risk of the kitten dying in the cold tonight. Maybe you could try calling them now, in the hope that they might have somebody on duty in case of emergency. Not likely, but it could happen. pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com

The good thing about animal control, besides that you won't be mistaken for a prowler and shot, or charged with theft, is that if the people are convicted they can be prohibited from having another animal.

Good luck. I really admire anybody who's willing to put their personal safety at risk to save an animal, but I hope it doesn't come down to that!

Frankly if you have called animal control and they won't do anything I would just take the cat and bring it somewhere these people won't find it. I know it is illegal, but screw it, my advice is just take the cat quick, it is getting too cold out here, and 6 weeks old is too young to be away from mom anyway.