The Rescue We Adopted Our Cat From Says Our Enclosed Porch Violates Its Indoor-only Contract And Is Demanding The Cat Back, Although She Cannot Access The Yard Or Street At All

Location: Ohio

We adopted a cat from a small rescue six months ago. The contract says she must remain an “indoor-only companion” and that the rescue may request her return if she is “permitted to roam outdoors.” We agreed with that and have never allowed her loose outside.

Our house has a screened porch connected to the living room. It has a solid roof, a locking interior door, reinforced mesh, and no opening to the yard. The cat sits there for an hour or two while we are home. Last week a rescue representative delivering supplies nearby saw her through the screen. Two days later we recieved an email saying the porch counted as outdoor access and that we had seven days to return her voluntarily.

The relevant facts:

• She cannot leave the enclosed porch.

• We supevise her and bring her inside when nobody is home.

• The contract does not mention porches, patios, or screened enclosures.

• The rescue has not alleged neglect, escape, or any health issue.

• Her veterinary records and registration are in our names.

We replied with photographs and offered an inspection. They refused and repeated that “outdoors means beyond four solid walls.” That definition does not appear in the contract. They have not filed anything or attempted to enter our property, but the deadline in their email is Friday.

Can a rescue enforce a broader interpretation that is not written in the adoption contract and reclaim an animal without a court order? Should we send a formal written response before Friday stating that we dispute the alleged breach? I also want to know whether we should keep the cat entirely away from the porch for now, even though doing so might look like we accept their interpretation. We want a boring resolution where the cat continues sleeping in sunbeams and nobody arrives at our door.