'[She] threatened to call the cops': 25-year-old helps her roommate "steal" his parent's 10-year-old cat after his mom suddenly decided that he needs to be put down in two days for completely no reason

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
May 27, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

Stealing a cat, on most occasions, is a really, really bad thing. Now, we have to define stealing here. Because we have come across lots of stories of people accused of stealing a cat when that is, in fact, not what happened. In many cases, cats that are allowed to roam outside might adopt an additional human on the side, like a vacation home for them, but that doesn't mean that the original owner would be happy about it. That's not what "stealing a cat" is. Stealing a cat means going out of your way to get them behind the owner's back. 

That is what happened in this story. And although 99% of the times we would say that it was beyond wrong and that they should give the cat back as soon as possible… not this time. This time, the cat was not "stolen" from its owner, it was rescued from the owner. And she can throw as many tantrums and make as many threats as she wants, but the cat is far, far safer far, far away from her. 

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  • 01

    "[Am I wrong] for helping my roommate “steal” his parents' cat to save it's life?"

    Cheezburger Image 10509740288
    via ottox4
  • 02
    My (25M) roommate "Trevor" (also 26M, not his real name) and I have been friends for years. This is our second apartment together, and over the years, I've heard countless stories about his mom "Janet" and her controlling behavior. I used to think he exaggerated-stuff like her wanting access to his bank accounts, or choosing his shampoo for him. But since moving into our current place 6 months ago, I've seen a lot more of it firsthand.
    via ottox4
  • 03
    The breaking point came this week over their family cat, Koybie. -
    via ottox4
  • 04
    Trevor sometimes house-sits for his parents, and the cat has always had issues: feline herpes (can't be around other cats), anxiety (he's medicated), and recently some dental issues. Trevor went over last night while his parents were out of town. I called to see if he wanted dinner, and he sounded really off. That's when he told me: Janet had - decided to put Koybie down — in two days. This was probably his last night with the cat.
    via ottox4
  • 05
    Her reasoning? Koybie had peed on the carpet too many times, and the vet apparently told her that because of his age (10), it wasn't worth doing dental surgery. She also didn't want to replace the carpet again if it didn't fix things. Trevor was crushed. He grew up with this cat. He told me he'd already offered to pay for the surgery, and I offered to chip in too but Janet said no. She had already made the appointment and refused to budge.
    via ottox4
  • 06
    "Doug" (Trevor's dad) won't go against her either. Trevor says he just stays quiet to avoid conflict.
    via ottox4
  • 07
    So I looped in Trevor's girlfriend and a mutual friend in a group chat. We all agreed that Koybie didn't deserve this. I offered to take him into our apartment temporarily (despite the "no pets" rule) to buy time to rehome him. Trevor eventually agreed.
    via ottox4
  • 08
    Around 9 p.m., we went to his parents' place and packed up everything — food, meds, toys, beds - and brought Koybie to our place. I suggested Trevor text Janet so she wouldn't come home to an empty cat bed. That might've been a mistake.
    via ottox4
  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10509741056
    via ottox4

  • Listen, we do not support stealing cats from their owners… in general. Here, it was one hundred percent the right thing to do. We have known cats with much worse health issues live much longer lives than this dude. The mom, in this situation, comes off absolutely insane. 

  • 10
    She flipped out. Hundreds of texts. Accusing Trevor of hurting Koybie more by moving him, saying his anxiety made this dangerous, that we were being irresponsible and cruel. She said the vet and a local shelter had both recommended euthanasia (???), threatened to call the cops, and even told Doug she'd divorce him when he asked her to give Trevor and I a chance.
    via ottox4
  • 11
    She also told Trevor that I was a "bad influence" and manipulating him into "stealing" the cat.
    via ottox4
  • 12
    Doug and Trevor are supposed to come by today to check on Koybie. I don't know what'll come of that. But honestly, this didn't feel like a cat in pain it felt like a cat being punished for peeing on the carpet.
    via ottox4
  • 13
    Now I'm second-guessing everything. The whole family is in chaos, and maybe it wasn't my place to get involved. But letting a 10-year-old cat get put down over some carpet just didn't sit right with me.
    via ottox4

  • And you know what, insane as the mom is, if the vets really did tell her that, then they must be more insane than she is. What do you mean put a cat down for such a ridiculous reason. You don't want the cat anymore, give it away, don't put it down. 

  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10509741568
    via Unsplash / Smitty

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

  • 15
    donnacus 10 years isn't that old. I say this as I sit here snuggling with my nearly 19 yo cat.
    via donnacus
  • 16
    ottox4 OP Agreed! Which is why I was immediately calling BS on all the "reasons" that it was his time.
    via ottox4
  • 17
    PreviousPin597 NTA, mom sounds INSANE. save the cat, ditch the mom. Might want to temporarily change the locks until the cat is safely rehomed if Trevor gave his parents an "emergency" key lest mom show up and steal him back or worse.
    via PreviousPin597
  • 18
    Cheezburger Image 10509741312
    via Unsplash / Julia Caesar - juliacaesar

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

  • 19
    LittleBoytoyBlue NTA This lady was planning on killing a senior cat because it has some bladder issues? If the cat isn't in any pain/discomfort there is no reason it needs to come to that. This lady sounds both insane and cruel. I hope you are able to keep that poor boy safe until you can find him a proper home
    via LittleBoytoyBlue
  • 20
    glemits NTA Get Koybie out of the house to a safe place, first. She will take Koybie away. What do you think "check on" means? It means a chance to grab him. Neither Doug nor Trevor will stand up for Koybie's life, she'll bulldoze the both of them. Then what do you think will happen to Koybie after that? Work out everything else later. How guilty will you feel if you don't even get Koybie a chance to live?
    via glemits

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