Animal rescue demands unemployed pawrent return their fluffy feline because of "ethical" reasons, owner rightfully refuses: 'They are being extremely inappropriate and unreasonable’

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Apr 19, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

There are so many cats in the world that need our help that we don't quite understand why someone would want to take a cat out of a loving home and put it back in a shelter - especially if it's the shelter that's trying to do it! As long as the cat is being loved and taken care of, why do they care where the cat goes? Well, that's exactly the kitty conundrum the pawrent below is facing in this pawsitively ridiculous post. 

It's hard enough being a single pawrent these days, but even worse when you're unemployed. After finding a new job in a different state, the rescue shelter called them and asked them to return the cat, who had become purrfectly adjusted to living with their new hooman owner. They stated "ethical" reasons, but we can't imagine what kind of reasons would require a good pawrent to return their cat just because they're moving. You have to read it to believe it, so read through the full thread below!

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  • 01

    Animal rescue wants my cat back because I'm moving

    'I told the rescue the cat is not going anywhere without a court order'
    via dimaberlinphotos

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    So I adopted a cat from a private animal rescue where I live about six months ago. The cat is wonderful and we get along well but I am moving several states away due to not being able to find work in my feild.
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  • 03
    The rescue contacted me asking to come visit my house and I told them no, because I was packing up to move. They stated that's "unethical" because they will no longer have access to the cat and that they want to make sure I'm not al sing him. It doesn't say in the contract I'm not allowed to move out of state and take the cat with me.
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  • 04
    I told the rescue the cat is not going anywhere without a court order. I don't want to let them in the house because I'm in the middle of packing up and I'm worried they will attempt to snatch him.
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  • 05
    K8inspace • 15h ago Make sure your cat is chipped to you before moving. They have no reason to come to your house after six months. They should have done their due diligence and done that six months ago if they were concerned.
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  • 06
    Bwuaaa 16h ago You have the papers for the cat? Nothing they can do then
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  • 07
    FrancisOfTheFilth_ Francis Of TheFilth_ 15h ago . Please read through your contract and do not let them into your home. They are screaming about ethics when they want to take the cat away from the person they are now most familiar with, they are being extremely inappropriate and unreasonable
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  • 08
    . proudboiler 15h ago This is f ed up, i'm sorry. I don't know why some rescues do this. I've read some rules on a couple rescues websites that require potential adopters to live in a 50 mile radius of the rescue.
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    Cheezburger Image 10494569984
    via Africa images

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 10
    Marsupialize • 15h ago Do they seriously not have other cats to worry about homing right now?
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  • 11
    selkieisbadatgaming • 15h ago Considering how many people dump their cats because they're moving, I'm kind of shocked they are mad about this. That's your cat, you aren't renting him from the rescue. Just ignore them if possible.
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  • Yeah, this is so true! You're not renting the cat, it's no longer theirs - you adopted it, paid for it, took it to the vet, got it microchipped… that cat is 100% your propurrty. Sorry, we meant to say that you are now 100% the cat's propurrty!

  • 12
    peacock head 15h ago Once you adopt the cat it's yours, not theirs anymore. Some rescuers really struggle with boundaries and letting go and this seems like one. They are treating you like you're fostering. Just totally bizarre. I'd remind them you
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  • 13
    adopted the cat and just like you'd be responsible for selecting a vet and treatments and paying for them, they no longer oversee the care of this animal. This should be their goal. Weirdos.
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  • 14
    aspenjohnston3 • 15h ago Once you adopt that cat, they shouldn't need to have access to it for any reason
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  • 15
    SlightlyAngyKitty • 15h ago What are they gonna do, repo your cat? Tell em to go f themselves
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  • 16
    ADOPT DON'T SHOP
    via FatCamera

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 17
    likeawolf 15h ago This is the kind of ridiculous sh that keeps backyard breeders and weirdos on Craigslist in business. No normal person wants to deal with this invasion of privacy and accusatory attitude. I'm glad I found my cat on the street.
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  • 18
    . Realistic_Damage5143 15h ago That's so weird. Home visits aren't unheard of but normally occur quite shortly after adoption. It's been 6 months. Maybe to just get them off your back can you suggest to do a quick video call and you can show them your cats
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  • 19
    living conditions and that your cat is in good health, or send them any recent veterinary paperwork. I would definitely leave a google review of the rescue tho bc this is really invasive behavior and telling you you can't leave the state is absurd.
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  • 20
    Esoteric_Librarian • 15h ago . Just keep moving and block their number. Then leave. Cut all contact.
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  • 21
    If you paid an adoption fee for the cat especially, they can do nothing. Legally speaking? The cat is your property
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  • 22
    And as you said, their contract doesn't specify you not moving. They have no legal recourse and you owe them nothing
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  • 23
    scienceislice • 15h ago If you want to be nice you can send them a video or some recent vet paperwork but otherwise tell them to GTFO. What the h I, you're allowed to move with your cat.
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  • 24
    sidewaysorange • 15h ago . ignore them move and keep it moving.
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Tags

refuse demands drama animal rescue fluffy-felines unreasonable parenting ethics pawrents pet drama Cats unemployed animals
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