Kind cat lover rescues abandoned stray only for the vet to refuse him adoption over technical red tape: 'The owners have moved away, but they can’t give her back to me'

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Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
Jun 16, 2025 4:00 PM EDT

It sounds like this kind-hearted cat lover was hoping to give a sweet stray a furever home, but the vet had other plans. After spotting a kitty with a collar hanging around and scavenging, they did the responsible thing. Offered shelter (a cozy box on their roof!) and tried to locate her family with a paper collar. When no one responded, they brought her to the vet to check for a microchip, only to be told the owners had moved away. Unfortunately, rather than letting this caring human adopt the cat on the spot, the vet insisted she go to the RSPCA. Now this would-be cat parent is left feeling like they were cat-burgled by bureaucracy.

It's truly frustrating when you try to do right by a feline friend and end up tangled in red tape. The good news? The RSPCA will care for the kitty, and there may be a chance to apply to adopt her officially. Fingers crossed this devoted human and their rooftop companion can be reunited, because this sounds like a purrfect match that deserves a happy ending.

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  • 01
    'I'd love to be able to host her'
    via Nils Jacobi / Canva

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

  • 02
    A few weeks ago I started seeing a cat around a lot. I would give her pets but didn't give her any food because she had a collar on. However, I did see her scavenging quite a bit.
    via u/Pete_Tiptoe
  • 03
    Eventually I put out a box on my flat roof and she started to chill up there most days and I would chill with her. I put a paper collar on with my details but no one got in touch.
    via u/Pete_Tiptoe
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10517559808
    via Tamba Budiarsana from Pexels / Canva

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

  • 05
    Eventually took her to a vet to get her microchip scanned and they said they would look after her and contact the owners. They later informed me that the owners have moved away but they can't give her back to me, instead she will ge to the RSPCA cats home. go
    via u/Pete_Tiptoe
  • 06
    Cheezburger Image 10517559552
    via dotshock / Canva

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

  • 07
    Is there any recourse to having her back? She's an old girl and has probably been in my neighbourhood for a while and I'd love to be able to host her. Edit: this is in England
    via u/Pete_Tiptoe
  • 08
    Fine_Page_5995 RSPCA officer here. The vets should only be doing this is they feel there is a welfare concern for the cat. We highly encourage people to take cats they believe are status to the vet if possible and microchipping doesn't equal ownership its more complicated than that. All this
    via u/Fine_Page_5995
  • 09
    seems to show is the cat has been abandoned. The RSPCA don't get involved in civil issues and if there's no welfare concern we don't have the capacity to help. We are also struggling for space with animals so definitely call your local RSPCA branch and enquire about it and if the cat is healthy there's no reason it
    via u/Fine_Page_5995
  • 10
    shouldn't be ironed out as a misunderstanding. If you can't sort it, consider going to the branch anyway and enquiring about adopting another cat and helping them out.
    via u/Fine_Page_5995

  • Maybe you can sort it out directly with the shelter or previous owners and finally bring home the cat of your dreams. Because every purrfect partnership deserves a happy ending!

  • 11
    Ghost Riders The only thing you can do is contact the the RSPCA and tell them what has happened and that the cat has been living with you. They will advise you how to go about adopting her.
    via u/GhostRiders
  • 12
    If you are lucky and I have known it to happen, they might just let you take her home but it is very dependent on the person and how many cats they currently have.
    via u/GhostRiders
  • 13
    JBWalker1 Any way to contact the old owners? A neighbour might know who's cat it was. Could maybe have them tell the vets to give it to you, they're the legal owner so it would be up to them but that ship might have sailed now. If the vet still has the cat then it's the best option for now.
    via u/JBWalker1
  • 14
    I'm suprised the vet didn't let the owner know the situation and if they wanted to transfer the cat to you. Like anyone willing to spend time getting a cat and taking it to the vet to check if it has owners obviously cares for the cat and has shown theyre somewhat responsible. Like
    via u/JBWalker1
  • 15
    the person who took the cat is the obvious first option for adoption, not to mention that the cat knows the area so it's less stress on the cat to stay.
    via u/JBWalker1

  • If the previous owners sign off, it really shouldn’t be a problem. Fingers crossed you get to bring this sweet kitty home where they clearly already belong!

  • 16
    AddictedToRugs The cat isn't your property. No, you have no recourse. You have essentially handed in a piece of lost property. The RSPCA might let you adopt it, but you'll have to apply like everyone else.
    via u/AddictedToRugs
  • 17
    Just_Raisin1124 Pets are legally property so the vets cant just give you the cat, even though the owners have told them they're not coming back
    via u/Just_Raisin1124
  • 18
    Going through the RSPCA is what will make this a legal process. They will contact the owners and give them X amount of time to claim her, after that has passed she's considered officially relinquished by them and can be adopted by someone else. It's hard for older cats to get adopted so they will be very happy to know there is someone already waiting for her.
    via u/Just_Raisin1124

  • At least this way you’ll be able to adopt her legally and officially make her yours in a forever home with all the love and cuddles she deserves!

  • 19
    BrieflyVerbose Just ask the vet who they got in contact with and then speak to them. There are tons of cats needing homes so I don't see why they won't give the car to you, it's just the vet couldn't do that themselves.
    via u/BrieflyVerbose
  • 20
    Defiant_Simple_6044 Not from the vet, but if the RSPCA are looking to re- home her go through the process officially to get her?
    via u/Defiant_Simple_6044

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adopted feline vet Cats stray rescue hooman forever home abandoned
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