In our area, cats are licensed just like dogs and are to be kept at home....on the other side, there is a leash law where you live, and the dogs should have been under the control of their owners. I suggest talking to the dogs owners, and asking them to assist with the Vet bills...and ...not being mean or pointing the finger...but some of the responsibility is yours (your Mom's) as the cat was allowed outside. After loosing our 3rd cat (many years ago) in a freak accident with a cars motor, in the winter months, we decided that cats should be confined to the home unless we were able able to handle the consequence of allowing them to roam...we were not. Smitty is 13, Callie is 9 and Jack is "about 5"---healthy and happy; safe and secure inside their home.