'Adopted an incredible cat and feeling so guilty': Grieving cat owner rescues friendly feline from animal shelter, then discovers that her previous pawrent was forced to give her away

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
May 26, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Every cat has their own unique story, feline fam. Some were born from purrfectly floofy Persian cats and have only ever known tuna, treats, and the spoiled indoor cat life. Others were born behind a dumpster and lived on the streets until some wholesome, heroic hooman came and rescued them. The shelter cat you saw last week was given to the shelter because their pawrents moved away and left them behind. What we're trying to say is, each cat has a past, but that's not something we can change - we can only focus on the future we can purrvide for them. 

After their beloved cat passed away, one purrfectly sweet cat owner went to the shelter to adopt a new baby to love. They took their new baby home and immediately bonded with them, until she learned that the cat's previous pawrent was forced to give her fur baby away. They then got into a moral dilemma - do they keep the cat they currently love, or try to reunite the two? Scroll down to see what happens below!

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  • 01
    '[They] will come out to the reality that they have lost their cat they loved for 4 years'
    via beaveraphotos

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

  • 02
    Yesterday I went to an animal shelter and adopted a beautiful friendly 4 year old cat. As I was checking out, I asked if they could tell me anything about her history. They said she was relinquished as the owner went to jail. I am following the 3-3-3
    via u/opossumonmyporch
  • 03
    approach so I had a spare bedroom all set up for her. Released her from the carrier and she immediately went under the bed. I sat on the floor and coaxed her out. She came out, moved around the room, and she seemed quite delighted.
    via u/opossumonmyporch
  • 04
    When I sat on the bed, she was all over me. This cat is just fearless and a big love bug. There's no doubt in my mind that we'd/will have a great life together. Which brings me to the guilt. My 17 year old cat recently passed - thus the trip
    via u/opossumonmyporch
  • 05
    to the shelter - and I know how terrible grief is. And I'm still in the grieving stage. This cat clearly had a loving owner. My heart is breaking wondering if they went to jail for a few days and will come out to the reality that they have lost their cat they
    via u/opossumonmyporch

  • This purrson is incredibly thoughtful. Almost too thoughtful. The cat needs someone to care for them, and they happened to be in the right place at the right time. If they still truly want their cat after they get out of jail, they will find her.

  • 06
    loved for 4 years. It would help if I knew it was jail (30 days) or JAIL (a year or more). If little jail time, I'd want them to get her to them. Grief of losing a beloved cat is so difficult. Thoughts?
    via u/opossumonmyporch
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10509826560
    via Cynthia Johnson

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

  • 08
    akaraii 23h ago Don't make assumptions that are going to hurt your feelings. The odds that her previous owner only went to jail for a few days are VERY low, and if they couldn't find a way to get temporary housing for her they probably weren't in an ideal financial situation. You need to think about two things here:
    via u/akaraii
  • 09
    Life after jail is ROUGH. Finding an income, a place to live, and any means to rebuild life is extremely difficult without a lot of support. It quickly turns into a stressful life full of uncertainties, and it's a
    via u/akaraii
  • 10
    situation that the cat doesn't need to go through. The cat could/would become a financial burden and the owner would have a hard time giving her a good quality of life.
    via u/akaraii
  • 11
    If her previous owner truly did love her that much they would be happy that she found a safe and loving home. They would prioritize her comfort and quality of life over everything. She didn't have to stay at the
    via u/akaraii
  • 12
    shelter, she didn't end up with an incompatible household, she went home with you, who adores her already. When they had to surrender her this is most likely exactly where they were hoping she'd end up.
    via u/akaraii
  • 13
    Clean-Bid9301 23h ago . That cat needs you in their life right now to take care of them and provide continuity in their life. You have no way of knowing what the prior owner went to jail for, how long they're
    via u/Clean-Bid9301
  • 14
    going to be there, or if they're going to want their cat back if/when they're out. Focus on what you know and what the cat needs. And would keep in mind having a pet is a privilege, not a right. Good luck to you both!
    via u/Clean-Bid9301
  • 15
    Littlepotatoface · 23h ago If I had to surrender my cat while I did time, I'd be very very happy knowing it's safe with someone taking care of it.
    via u/Littlepotatoface

  • We hope that the previous pawrent would be happy knowing that their cat is being loved, and cared for. We would be, if we were in their pawsition. As long as the cat is okay, we will feel better.

  • 16
    galspanic 21h ago . "A new kitten is the best way to get over a dad cat" - my wife every time she brings home a new cat after one dos.
    via u/galspanic
  • 17
    She's not wrong. A couple months ago we're driving home from putting down our 5 year old cat that was a huge part of my life. I look over and she's looking on petfinder. What a monster?! But, the bonded pair we got a couple days later have helped.
    via u/galspanic
  • 18
    vorilant 21h ago • You sound like a super thoughtful person. But there's not much you can do except make the cat happy. Congrats on finding a good one. Sorry to hear about your cat passing, I can't imagine it.
    via u/vorilant
  • 19
    Cheezburger Image 10509827072
    via corelens

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

  • 20
    • ruby-hyphen-hyphen 23h ago Feelings are weird. I can tell you not to feel guilty, but it's not logical. So just acknowledge what you're feeling but also realise you're doing a great thing. You can't know all the circumstances but your cat
    via u/ruby-hyphen-hyphen
  • 21
    needed a home and you're giving it one that's better than a shelter. You can know that their human, no matter how long. they're in jail, surrendered their cat hoping someone would care for/ love them. You're going to look after that cat SO WELL for the cat and maybe for their old owner too.
    via u/ruby-hyphen-hyphen
  • 22
    kjuti247. 18h ago I recently adopted a 10 year old cat who was very reserved at the shelter (wouldn't even leave her cage). She was surrendered because her owner (mom) d d and her older dad couldn't take
    via u/kjuti247
  • 23
    care of her. Turns out: she has a huge personality, loves to talk, and wants to cuddle all day long. It is so clear that her mom loved and cared for her so well. I have thought a lot about what
    via u/kjuti247
  • 24
    you are saying: what a nightmare for our loved and cherished cats to end up in a shelter, scared and alone, because we get sick, di, or have circumstances (jail) where we can't take care of them any longer. I think that you are
    via u/kjuti247
  • 25
    exactly the person that the previous owner would have wanted for their cat. Just love on them and thank their original parent for being a good caretaker in their younger years.
    via u/kjuti247

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adoption strange animal rescue adopted feline cat rescue pawrents grief friendly forever home Cats loving animals rescue
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