'How dare you!': Karen neighbor captures owner's healthy cat and refuses to give it back, she then calls animal control only for them to prove she's making a fool of herself

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jun 24, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

We know that we always tell you guys to keep your cats inside, and you should, but there is something we've never told you - we had an outdoor-only cat when we were kids. It wasn't our choice as we were kids, but her name was Meow (we named her when we were two), and she was our baby. She refused to use the litter box, though, so our parents decided she would be an outdoor cat. Our dad helped us build a heated shelter for her on our porch, where we would go out and feed her every morning and evening. We would even bring her inside some nights to sleep with us.

So, when this pawrent below said that their cat "just needed to be outside", we get it. We can't control our cats (as much as we try), but when their Karen neighbor captured their sweet kitty, that's when everything went south. Scroll down to read how this ridiculous Karen got put in her place by the very people she called as backup!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement
  • 01

    Karen captures my cat

    'He obviously can't take care of the cat! He's a maniac!'
    via Linda Raymond

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

  • 02
    Hello Reddit! Have I got a story for you. I live on a private residence on a private drive. It's a small neighborhood and everyone. mostly minds their business given it's more on the countryside. But there's this one
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 03
    neighbor... We'll call her Karen Neighbor (KN). She has recently purchased the home where a sweet old man used to be before he passed. She has wasted no time at all harassing the children who dare ride their bikes near her property, and generally is making enemies in the neighborhood.
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 04
    She hadn't gotten a chance to interact with me, beside the normal neighbor greet. She then texts on our neighborhood talk app. "Hey everyone, I found this cute cat almost de d. It looked as if it was starving, and I took it in and fed it."
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 05
    Fruit Flavor and Artificial Naturally acto SAFE HA PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS cut into potties, this will ELECTRIC SKILLET OR FRY PAN QUALLY E
    via imgur
  • 06
    It was my cat. Some context, my cat is grey and white and prefers the outside. If he isn't outside for a bit of the day he retaliates, so I decided with the spacious yard I have and low level of danger, I'd feed him in
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 07
    the morning, let him out, wait until he comes back and feed him, let him in, and then he and I both sleep. This has worked for years and he seems much happier for it. He usually returns at a certain time. So I wait near the door at this time to bring
    via u/denoteddemon

  • We loved breakfast and dinner time with Meow. All we had to do was go outside and call her name, and she would appear within 30 seconds. She would give us lots of head bumps, we would feed her, pet her for about 10 minutes, then go about our day. At night, the same, but sometimes we would sneak her into the house to let her sleep with us!

  • 08
    him inside. The previous night, he didn't return. I got worried so I called our farmer (who is the nicest and most helpful person on our road, like if you need. anything you go to him) and told him about the missing cat. He said he'd keep an eye out and spread the word tomorrow.
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 09
    Tomorrow came and I'm on the neighborhood talk app and see my cat. I was elated until I actually read. I take my cat to the vet consistently, and he is in perfect health. There was no
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 10
    way he was "almost de d" or "starving". I was willing to put all this aside however, as I just wanted my cat back. I call her. This was the conversation.
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 11
    Cheezburger Image 10520469504
    via imgur
  • 12
    Me - Hey KN! I was looking at the Neighborhood Talk App, and you found my cat! When can I swing around to pick it up? KN - Why would you leave your cat outside? Do you even care about it?
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 13
    Me - (taken aback by the audacity) I do care about it. It goes outside on Vet Recommendation. It really likes the outdoors and comes back inside every night.
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 14
    KN - Oh really? Which vet told you that? - Me (my vet's name). He said some cats just can't stay inside. KN - Yeah right. You probably made that up and just leave it outside because you don't love it enough to take care of it.
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 15
    Cheezburger Image 10520469248
    via imgur
  • 16
    Me (very close to losing it, - trying to push conversation. forward) Ok! So are you home right now because I can swi-- KN - Yeah I'm home. Come and get the cat. KN just hangs up the phone.
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 17
    I was fuming. Why the h I would anyone say stuff like that, unprovoked, especially when they don't know what they're talking about? No matter, I grab my keys and drive down to KN's house. I knock on the door.
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 18
    Me - Hey I'm here to get the cat! KN - Oh nevermind it makes sense now. You're one of those types.
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 19
    Me (quite fed up) Alright! Just - give me my cat KN! KN - How dare you talk to me like that! I'm calling animal control! You are obviously unfit to take care of a pet!
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 20
    Me - I'm sorry what? I can't speak Karen. Just give me my cat and I'll leave it's simple!
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 21
    KN shuts the door and calls animal control. I decide to call the farmer. Obviously I need backup and I'm not wasting emergency resources for a petty squabble. The farmer says he's on his way. He arrives shortly after. I bring him up to speed and he knocks on the door. KN answers it.
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 22
    Farmer Ma'am could you - please return this man his cat? KN - No! He assaulted me because I said he couldn't take care of this poor d ng cat!
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 23
    F - Listen I know that's a bunch of baloney. OP wouldn't hit anyone. Not just because he's one of the nicest people I know, but because he's weak! (he laughs, so do I) Can I please have the cat?
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 24
    KN The only people I'll give - this cat to is animal control. She then slams the door. She was making this extremely hard for all parties involved. There was one option left. Wait for animal control and explain what
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 25
    was happening. So we did. About 20 minutes later they arrive. We explain to the man what was happening. "Jesus Christ, I'll get the cat." He said.
    via u/denoteddemon

  • Oh, Karen, when will you ever learn? This is an argument you won't win. Just because you're upset doesn't mean you're right. The sooner you understand that, the better the world will be.

  • 26
    He knocks on the door. KN answers but instead of her demon form she has turned into the "nicest woman in the world"
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 27
    KN - Hello! Are you here for the cat? AC I'm here to return the cat to - it's owner. Please hand me the cat.
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 28
    KN - B-but he obviously can't take care of the cat! He's a maniac! You should take it to the shelter!
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 29
    AC Listen, the owner has - proved they obviously care about the animal. So that cat will remain in his care. Please return the cat, or I will have to get the authorities involved.
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 30
    KN stutters for a bit, sighs, and hands over the cat. KN - This is a huge mistake.
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 31
    She shuts the door. AC returns my cat to me. I thank both the farmer and animal control and leave in my car. I'm just happy it's over and I don't have to deal with that entitlement again.
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 32
    She hasn't grabbed it again yet, but when she does I'm calling the authorities. I'm not dealing with her again. My cat is very happy, there were no signs of damage or disease when I went to the vet after the incident, and so far this story ends on a happily ever after!
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 33
    Edit: I am stunned at the response this got and I WAS ON A BUISNESS TRIP I COULDN'T PAY THE CAT TAX here it is https://imgur.com/a/9jozytW
    via u/denoteddemon
  • 34
    But yeah thanks for all the advice and well wishes, I have decided to get him chipped instead of a gps in the collar, and I filed an incident report this morning as per some comments suggestions. The catio is almost finished as I type this and he's been in sight until it's finished.
    via u/denoteddemon

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

karens neighbors fool animal control cat owners Cats animals karen
Scroll Down For The Next Article