'When I begged for her back, he laughed at me': Neighbor steals man's cat, refuses to return her, then audaciously asks him to take care of her while he's in the hospital, but the man refuses

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Feb 11, 2025 10:00 AM EST

What would you do - if your neighbor stole your cat? We think we would cry first, try to get the cat back second, then call the cops. Which is exactly what this neighbor did after their cat went missing and was found again in their neighbor's home. And look, at first, we understood the neighbor's position as well. He simply claimed that he found a lost cat and saved it. That's a noble thing to do. It's a good thing. It's something we encourage. But part of that good thing has to be returning the cat to its owners if they come to get it. 

This neighbor, instead of returning the cat, laughed in the owner's face, closed the door right in front of them, and then somehow even had the audacity to ask them to take care of their stolen cat while the thief was in the hospital. So… we have to say chances are we would have reacted just like this person did to the whole situation. But what would you have done? 

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  • 01

    "[Am I wrong] for Refusing to help my neighbor after what he did to my Cat?"

    "That man stole my cat. And when I begged for her back, he laughed at me. So no, I won't be helping him."
    via Chen
  • 02
    I (32M) live in a quiet neighborhood where everyone mostly keeps to themselves. I moved here five years ago after getting a remote job that allowed me to live anywhere. It was peaceful, and I liked it that way—until I met my next-door neighbor, Greg (50sM, name changed).
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 03
    From the start, Greg gave me weird vibes. He was overly friendly in a way that felt forced, always asking me personal questions about my work, finances, and family. I kept my interactions with him minimal, just polite nods and occasional small talk.
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10465714688
    via Ryunosuke Kikuno
  • 05
    Then, a year ago, my cat, Mochi, went missing. She was an indoor cat, but she loved sitting by the window. One evening, I left the back door slightly open while bringing in groceries, and by the time I realized it, she was gone. I searched everywhere. I put up posters, walked the streets at night calling her name, and even checked security camera footage from my house, but nothing. It devastated me.
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 06
    Weeks later, I was walking past Greg's house when I noticed something— inside his window was a cat that looked exactly like Mochi. Same fur pattern, same bright green eyes. My heart started pounding. I knocked on his door, trying to stay calm.
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 07
    When he answered, I pointed at the window. "Greg, that's my cat." He laughed. "No, it's not. I found her outside weeks ago. She didn't have a collar, so I kept her."
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 08
    I told him I had proof-photos, vet records, and videos of her playing in my house. He shrugged. "Doesn't matter. She's mine now.” Then he shut the door in my face.
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 09
    I called the cops, but they said it was a civil matter. I tried reasoning with him, but he refused to budge. One night, I even thought about just breaking in and taking her back, but I knew that could get me arrested. I had to let it go. Months passed, and every time I saw Mochi in his window, it k lled me.
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 10
    Then, last week, Greg had a heart attack. He was found on his front porch, barely conscious, and was rushed to the hospital. His family isn't close to him, so the neighborhood pitched in to check on his house, feed his dog, and handle his mail. Someone suggested we start a fundraiser to help with his medical bills.
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 11
    And then it happened. Greg's sister, who flew in from out of state, knocked on my door. She looked exhausted. "Greg said you work from home and don't have a family here. Would you be able to help take care of his pets until he's back?"
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 12
    I looked her de d in the eyes and said, "No." She seemed taken aback. "I know he can be difficult, but this is a life-or- death situation. He has no one else to rely on."
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 13
    I said, “That man stole my cat. And when I begged for her back, he laughed at me. So no, I won't be helping him." She turned red and muttered something about me being heartless before storming off. Since then, a few neighbors have been cold toward me, and I heard one of them say, "It's just a cat."
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 14
    I don't care. If Greg recovers and asks for my help, I'll give him the same answer he gave me when I begged for my cat back. But still... AITA?
    via Massive_Law7816

  • Look, we are always for helping a person in need. Past arguments don't matter, not in that moment, not when they need someone. But we do have to say that we get it. If this happened to us, we don't know for a fact that we would have been able to leave all of that history in the past. 

  • 15
    Cheezburger Image 10465714432
    via Mea Artis, meaartis

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  • 16
    Wow. I honestly can't believe the amount of hate I've been getting. People are calling my story fake just because I only have one post on my account? Because I don't talk much? I just like reading, okay? I don't have a ton of things to say or share about my life. I'm not a super talkative or social person, and honestly, I don't have many people in my life outside of my parents.
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 17
    I've always been kind of lonely, and Reddit was just a place I could scroll through quietly. I never expected to post anything, let alone something that would blow up like this.
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 18
    And the worst part? People are mad about how I reacted. Like, do you really think there's a "right" way to process months of pain? Greg stole my cat. He laughed in my face when I begged for her back. He made me feel powerless, like I didn't matter. I have suffered
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 19
    extreme loneliness throughout my life and I've felt powerless over the years when the people I care about end up abandoning me. And people are mad that, for a split second, I let that pain and anger guide my decision? I wasn't thinking logically—I was thinking as someone who had been deeply hurt. I was acting on the rage I had buried for months.
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 20
    But if anyone actually cares about an update instead of just calling me fake, here it is. I went to the hospital to see Greg. He's getting better. It was awkward as h_I, but I told him that I'm taking Mochi back, and if he can't take care of his dog, I'll take the dog too.
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 21
    And then... he apologized. He actually apologized. Although it felt half hearted, I'm glad he did.
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 22
    He said he took Mochi because he really loved her. He didn't mean to hurt me (which I don't fully believe, but whatever). He admitted that what he did was wrong, and that if I want both the pets, I can have them-forever. He even said the dog is optional, but honestly... it's a sweet golden retriever. And Greg won't be able to take care of him now anyway, so yeah, I think I'll take him too.
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 23
    So, that's it. I'm getting Mochi and the dog tomorrow. To the people who were kind, who actually understood why I reacted the way I did―thank you. I really appreciate you.
    via Massive_Law7816

  • More than anything, we have to say that we're glad the story ended this way. Before getting the update, we were worried the kitty was still there, missing its owners and being missed by them. And although the neighbor wasn't the best person in the world here, we do hope he gets better as well. And then keeps his paws off your cat. 

  • 24
    And for those who just came to call me fake or stupid or cruel, well... I don't know what to tell you. I don't process emotions the way some of you expect me to because of what I've been through in my life. I jump to conclusions, I make decisions in the heat of the moment, I know that it's not a good trait and I'm working on it.
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 25
    Anyway, that's the update. I get my cat back. I get a dog. Things are looking a little brighter for me.
    via Massive_Law7816
  • 26
    Cheezburger Image 10465714176
    via Michaela Filipcikova, mfilipcikova

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