My daughter saw a cat at her boyfriends apartment the other day and it has its ear pierced. She wanted to get the cat and take it to the pound. Well the person who owns (or claims to) caught her and made her give the cat back. I was on the phone to her at the time it happened and I was terrified for my daughter. The owners were beating on the door to get the cat back. I am at home, at least 30 min. away from her without a car (thanks to the car accident I was in). My stomach hit the floor when I heard all this going on. I told her to she would have to leave the situation alone, (she had informed the pound but they refused to see about it). I am not sure what to do now but since she has to be at her boyfriends apartment by herself sometimes, I told her she would just have to ignore the situation since I fear hat if someone would do that to a cat, they may not take kindly to her butting in. I hope I didnt do the wrong thing by telling her that but I am afraid for her now. Also, I think it totally stinks that the pound refuses to help. What do ya'll think, If it was your daughter would you have told her this? Oh, yeah, my year has not gone well so far so I didn't want anything else bad to happen, especially to my baby girl. 

She can call the police.  They can charge the person with animal cruelty.  Cats' ears are very sensitive. 

Your daughter's safety should come first.  Only you and your daughter can know if you made the right decision based on the circumstances.  I'm not sure that protecting your child is ever the "wrong decision."  Regardless of their age, they are always your baby.

Is the shelter she has called a humane society or SPCA?  If not, they may just be a shelter and not able to remove animals.  Every city or town has an animal control officer.  Call the Mayor's office and ask who that is and for a contact number.  They have to investigate complaints of cruelty.

What a horrible situation all around.  I hope things work out.

  You gave the right advise. It was best to give the cat back to it's owner and then let the authorities take over regarding the cat. Anyone that would do that to a cat is capable of anything.

Vets in the city and county of SSan Francisco are not allowed, by law, to cut dog's ears or tails, and same for cats.  The reason is because of animals pain sensitivity.