Cat-lover rescues "stray" cat, finds out that friendly feral was missing for 6 years and isn't wanted anymore, so they wholesomely bring him home fur good: 'He’s finally able to feel safe and relax'

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Mar 27, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Howdy, fellow feline and hooman friends. We just want to give a big "Thank you" to all of the feline fans and cat connoisseurs who go out of their way to help feral felines in need. You don't have to do that - spend your precious free time caring for street cats, but you do, and we think that makes you purrfectly ameowzing. We need more people like you in the world, so keep fighting the good fight and helping all those kitties out there. We wish there weren't so many that needed us, but that's unfortunately the world we live in.

When the cat-lover in this post rescued this "stray" cat, they were certain they were a wild cat. They came in such a bad condition that they looked and felt feral, except for how pawsitively friendly they were. Turns out the cat was microchipped, but after contacting the owners, they figured out that the "stray" cat had been missing for six years! Read the full story and its cute conclusion below.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10485080576
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  • 02
    Hi everyone. So I've made several posts here about a stray boy I found and bringing him inside. He is friendly and I was able to get him into a crate and to a cat rescue where they checked him for chip and if not claimed they were going to vet him and I'd
    via u/Character_Regret2639
  • 03
    adopt. Well, he was claimed. I was shocked because he was in such rough shape when he came to me. Long story short, I connected with his former owners and he had been missing six whole years. I'd only fed him about three months so we don't know what he was up to that whole time. He's 7-8 now.
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  • 04
    frisco by chewy
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    For a variety of reasons they asked me if I wanted to keep him and I said yes absolutely. He came home Tuesday to my guest bedroom/husband's office. We first had him in a large cat cage but he has been fine so he's had access to the whole room during the day.
    via u/Character_Regret2639
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    Cheezburger Image 10485080064
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  • 07
    Anyway, poor guy seems so exhausted and I'm a little worried about him? His former owner was a vet, believe it or not, so they vetted him and he stayed at their vet hospital for about four days because I was out of town for a funeral when they called and
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  • 08
    asked if I wanted to keep him. Before that he was at a cat rescue for five or so days. I know this was probably all incredibly stressful for him. Unfortunately he also picked up a mild upper respiratory virus that we are monitoring but seems to be improving. So he's been going through it. He's been
    via u/Character_Regret2639
  • 09
    eating, drinking, peeing and pooping normally but all he wants to do is sleep on the bed and eat basically. At what point should I worry? My husband pointed out he probably has had to sleep with one eye open for the past six years, so maybe he's just finally able to feel safe and relax. And
    via u/Character_Regret2639
  • 10
    he's not a kitten by any means. I feel so bad for him but he's safe, warm and loved now. He's also terrified of the outside noises and hid under the bed when he heard the garbage truck outside. He's been perfectly well behaved though and using his litter box perfectly.
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  • When we have a long week, we can sleep for twice as long as normal if we're really that tired. Now, imagine being even more tired for six years straight! That sounds exhausting, of course this kitty wants to catch all the zzz's. They deserve it. They've had it rough, but now they're finally safe.

  • 11
    I'm curious to hear others' experiences after they brought ferals or strays in? How did they act the first few weeks? Thanks everyone. This group has been such a help to me throughout this process!
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    Horror_Tea761 · 1d ago My experience with bringing in cats who have lived outdoors is that they sleep HARD for a few weeks. It's knowing they're safe and can put their guard down. Many have never had that experience before.
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  • 13
    Thank you so much for adopting him! He's beautiful.
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  • 14
    • furry_tail_lover 1d ago I love a good NOT my cat that is Now my cat story
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    ZachBortles · 1d ago . Took in a stray three weeks. ago and it's been touch and go with acclimating him, but watching him start to trust that he can sleep in a place of warmth and safety has been the best. Just snoozes for hours on his fluffy blanket.
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    Adventurous-Bake-168 ELUL བ • 1d ago
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    Yes I got a barn cat to come inside. Lived about 2 years outside when he was a kitten. Momo sleeps hard.
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  • 18
    Stoltzfuzz • 1d ago There's nothing better than seeing a truly relaxed former feral!
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  • This is so true. There is nothing we love more as a pet owner than seeing our pets sleep peacefully. All we want for them is to be happy and feel at home. It's their home too, after all!

  • 19
    . PcLvHpns 1d ago This poor guy has been in maximum survival mode for almost 8 years I think you said! He's just trying to catch up on some sleep and heal! I don't think people
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  • 20
    understand this STRESS it is for a house cat to survive in the wild. They are as spoiled as we are, if not more, and then suddenly don't know where the next meal is going to come from, all day every single day. Not to mention
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    there's someone/something behind every corner waiting to k them all day every single day. Thank you for SAVING THIS BABY!
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  • 22
    Beets Bog999 · 1d ago He just a sleepy boy! As long as all the other functions are good, your husband is right! He's got at least 6 years of comfortable napping to catch up on. He is grateful for his safety!
    via u/Beets_Bog999
  • 23
    . flufffynug 1d ago Mine did the same! Factor in that he was sick too and it seems totally normal/healthy
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    Spaghetti-Rblade-51 · 1d ago He's fine. He just finally feels safe enough to sleep. Thank you for taking care of him.
    via u/Spaghetti-Rblade-51
  • 25
    I had a tall boy wander into my house (tallest cat I've ever seen) and kept coming inside every time I opened the door for about a week. It was also winter time. Finally I just let him stay after I had him vetted and a short quarantine period in my house.
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  • 26
    I had 5 indoor cats at the time. He didn't pick any fights and they accepted him (well, ignored him) for some strange reason. All he wanted was food and sleep for the 8 years I had him. He just wanted to exist and stay inside. No friends needed.
    via u/Spaghetti-Rblade-51
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    Some cats are just like that.
    via u/Spaghetti-Rblade-51

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stray cats wholesome adoption strange kitten animal rescue adopted feline cat rescue feral friendly forever home Cats loving cute kittens home animals rescue
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