Neighbor falls in love with "lost" cat, but finds out they belong to someone else; they get their happy ending when reuniting the two inspires them to adopt a fluffy feline friend of their own

6 hours ago 1
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    'Seems like this was all a blessing in disguise'

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    A super friendly, sweet cat started hanging around a neighborhood where multiple people were feeding him. He clearly wasn't feral, sought affection, and seemed used to people and houses. Everyone assumed he was abandoned or lost, and no one knew where he came from.

  • Hmmmm… a cat showing up where people feed him? This is unheard of! Never seen before! Just kidding, of course a cat is going to go where it gets fed! Our neighbor once offered our cat a piece of chicken when they came over to borrow something, and now our cat will stop at nothing to go back and visit the magic chicken man who lives next door.

  • 03

    I took him in, bought supplies, and brought him to a vet for an exam and to check for a microchip. He was chipped and the vet contacted the owner.

  • 04

    The owner claims he's only been missing for 2 days. But my friend who lives in that area says she's seen this cat living outdoors for months. He's been eating at various porches and trying to get into houses. He also had no collar, and no one in the neighborhood seemed to know where he belonged.

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     • He may have been • neglected ⚫ He was possibly unsupervised for months • He may just end up outdoors again

  • 07

    I've become really attached, he's been sweet, clean, and clearly comfortable inside. I would absolutely adopt him if given the chance, but the owner has now responded and wants him back.

  • 08

    Has anyone been in a similar situation? Do I have any say or recourse here if I have concerns for the cat's well-being? I'm not trying to keep someone's pet unfairly, I just want to be sure he's safe and cared for. Thanks!

  • 09

    Accom... Is it possible this was an indoor- outdoor cat?

  • 10

    When you took the cat to the vet, was it a healthy weight, did it have fleas and ticks, did it have worms and/or any significant health issues that would have likely been brought on by neglect?

  • 11

    I don't personally approve of letting cats outside, but many people do, and that would explain the seeming discrepancy if the cat otherwise seems healthy and cared-for.

  • Just like when people say “there are plenty of fish in the sea”, the same goes true for cats. There are plenty of purrfectly adoptable cats in shelters that could use homes, so they should give this cat back and go adopt one of them!

  • 12

    Beccaroni7 It sounds like you're trying to look for a straw to grasp here so you can keep the cat, but you really don't have any grounds to. I understand the urge, but the cat is well-fed, chipped, and the owner pays enough care to recognize when the cat had an injury and isolate him indoors.

  • 13

    I don't see anything close to a red flag that would imply you have any responsibility to rescue this cat-he doesn't need rescuing.

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    Ranger199569 There's lots of cats in need at the shelters - dont steal someone's obviously well fed and well taken care of cat

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    AltruisticCableCar Posts like this are so frustrating. I get that you care for the cat, but it's not yours. It has an owner. And they want it back. Give. It. Back!

  • 17

    You've said nothing that proves it's been neglected or abused. Aside from the fact that it keeps coming to your neighbourhood. I mean, gee, I wonder why? Could it be that several people there are feeding it?!

  • 18

    I'm against outdoor cats completely, but it's not illegal, so it's not up to you to steal a whole animal because you have decided you want it. If the vet

  • 19

    had said to you straight up this cat is in a horrible condition and is clearly suffering then you may have a case. So far, you haven't told us that the vet said that so I'm assuming not.

  • 20

    Theft is theft. Give the cat back and ignore the person who encouraged you to steal it if you ever saw it again. Of the owner brings in the law here the only one in trouble is you.

  • 21

    B_eves TNR/foster Legally, that cat belongs to whoever is on the microchip. You risk some legal action if you keep the cat and they care enough to pursue anything. If the cops are called, they're gonna tell you to give the cat back because there is PROOF that the owner is the owner.

  • 22

    Considering they have your contact info, I would let this go and give the cat back. Theres a lot of unknowns about the original owner and I think there's a lot of jumping to conclusions here. While I think every single pet cat should be inside without question, they may not have the save views.

  • 23

    If you really enjoy the cat, | would let them know. "Hey, I took kitty to the vet for a checkup! I really enjoy spending time with him and if you or he ever needs anything, please let me know!" That's about it.

  • 24

     The cat is back outside and followed my friend into her house, begging for food. I'm so frustrated, this is NOT an outdoor cat. This is a neglected cat and everyone is failing him. I'm so upset.

  • 25

     I'm reuniting the cat with his owner, and now looking into adopting my own furry friend! All of this motivated me to give another cat a new home.Vt Seems like this was all a blessing in disguise

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