'Do I fight for her back?': Pawrents find out that shady neighbors kept their “missing cat” indoors for years; they refuse to give her back, so pawrents consider getting the police involved

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Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
May 18, 2025 6:00 PM EDT

This story is one big furball of feelings, shady neighbors, and whiskered what-ifs. So picture this: a beloved cat vanishes in 2022. After months of searching, it comes out that a neighbor has basically cat-napped her. No permission, no adoption. Just feeding her, locking her inside, and claiming her like a lost sock. They even said she needed dental work and removed some teeth (???), all while ignoring her microchip and original family.

The cat used to be a happy little explorer, a purrfessional roamer who'd visit everyone but always came home for cuddles. That changed when the neighbors decided to make her an indoor cat and keep her from leaving at all. Talk about claws in the wrong place.

Now her original humans are moving. New home, fresh start. The big question is: do they try to get their cat back now that they'll finally be away from the neighborhood nonsense? Or let her go and carry the weight of it forever?

They have proof and the microchip registered in their name, but the cat keeps returning to the neighbors, now stuck indoors. With questions about her happiness and safety, they're tornhould they fight to bring her home or let her stay, tails dragging? This decision has more layers than a shedding season. 

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10506988288
    via By marieclaudelemay / Canva

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

  • 02
    • So a bit of back story, my cat disappeared in 2022. After months of searching, a couple informed us their neighbour has been keeping our cat.
    via u/NegotiationUpper4057
  • 03
    The person then came to our house explaining themselves, and honestly made us quite uncomfortable. Said she would not stop feeding our cat, puts her in catterys and has even removed some teeth even though our chat has a microchip. (No proof of this)
    via u/NegotiationUpper4057
  • 04
    We knew there was nothing we could do, as our cat would simply walk back over to this house. We do not agree with making a 10 year old cat suddenly indoors. At this point they have now made her an indoor cat, stopping us from getting to her permanently.
    via u/NegotiationUpper4057
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10506830080
    via By sambarfoto / Canva

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

     

  • 06
    We are now moving house, and would like to try to fight for her. What would you do? We have text evidence she keeps our cat. Microchip is under our name and reported missing.
    via u/NegotiationUpper4057
  • 07
    FRAGILE
    via By pixelshot / Canva

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

  • 08
    I don't want to hear about how the cat didn't like living with us etc etc. she is a roamer and would find herself in everyone home. But was very happy with us.
    via u/NegotiationUpper4057
  • 09
    update as much as I would love to call the police and have the thieves arrested. I care only about my cat. My question is, do I accept she has gone and move away without guilt. Or do i fight for her back now I am moving away from these people so can finally stop them from having her.
    via u/NegotiationUpper4057
  • 10
    I have no regrets with our decisions so far, I cat be bothered to go into them all. I would LOVE to fight for her and bring her to our new home. I would do anything in my power to do so once we move, but is that the correct thing to do?
    via u/NegotiationUpper4057
  • 11
    Mina_U290 Report her under the Pet Abduction Act 2024
    via u/Mina_U290
  • 12
    DrHenryWu I would say the microchip is proof it is your cat and this should be enough. I would just go get it. Someone else points out maybe the fact they have been paying vet bills and you made no attempt to stop this could
    via u/DrHenryWu
  • 13
    go against you, I'm not sure how as you can say you weren't aware about a crazy cat thief treating your cat. Maybe you should have just gone round and taken the cat earlier
    via u/DrHenryWu
  • 14
    Zak_Rahman Cats do indeed roam. My parents had a regular visitor. When I went to see them, this cat just came in and sat on my lap like it was totally normal. That's just cats.
    via u/Zak_Rahman
  • 15
    Also, my brother's cat sometimes comes home smelling of another woman's perfume Imao. Clearly he is getting cuddles and treats elsewhere. The absolute nerve of him. Just letting you know that at least someone understands you weren't likely a bad owner.
    via u/Zak_Rahman
  • 16
    None the less, the cat was loved by everyone and we did not try to steal her. Our neighbours told us that the cat would wait at the house's backdoor after my parents moved away.
    via u/Zak_Rahman
  • 17
    jillcrosslandpiano Cats are technically property, and on top of that a new law has just been passed making cat kidnap a specific offence. Speak to the police.
    via u/jillcrosslandpiano

  • Calling the cops on the neighbor? Sounds like a purrfect plan to claw back what's rightfully hers! Sometimes you’ve gotta unleash the law’s claws to protect your furever family.

     

  • 18
    Noiisy If she's changed it to an indoor cat, go get it and keep it indoors.
    via u/Noiisy
  • 19
    absolutetriangle | guess people have varying relationships with their mogs but If one of the neighbours captured and imprisoned my boy they would be the ones wanting to move house.
    via u/absolutetriangle
  • 20
    MDFHASDIED Knock on door. Walk in house. Pick up cat. Walk out. Don't even say anything, just go and get your cat and go home.
    via u/MDFHASDIED
  • 21
    Bonzothedoggie I've had cats all my life, so I know cats. Cats are independent creatures, "free spirits". If they're happy they'll stay, if they're not, they'll find another home to go to. You might think you're treating your cat well, but your cat might have a different opinion and find somewhere that treats them better.
    via u/Bonzothedoggie

  • Pawsing to wonder if she’s happier there doesn’t make anyone a bad hooman. Sometimes love means letting go and trusting she’s chasing the purrfect life because happy paws make for happy hearts!

     

     

  • 22
    36... My first thought is "what is in the best interests of your cat?". Be honest with yourself: does it prefer living with these people because your story suggests that it does. If so, perhaps be happy that it's being well cared for and be prepared to let it go when they move house with your good - wishes.
    via u/369_Clive
  • 23
    Cats are delightful creatures but are also fairly mercenary. You cannot compel them to love you or give you their company. They will do what they want lol.
    via u/369_Clive
  • 24
    see that I'd let it go to that place. If you want another then there are plenty of other cats in shelters etc that need a home: you need not be without a cat.
    via u/369_Clive
  • 25
    I'm on my second cat and both it and first one (which d d of kidney failure) are loyal: they both seem pleased to be living with me. I'm happy but if either wanted to be in another house, and that household loved them and took care of them and it preferred being there, then after coming to
    via u/369_Clive
  • 26
    Queeflet Keep the cat inside? That seems the obvious solution.
    via u/Queeflet

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missing neighbors advice cat owners feline pawrents Cats
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