'I can’t legally keep her, but she clearly doesn’t want to be at her actual home': Renters can't keep the cat, but she keeps choosing them and they don't know how to say goodbye

This whiskered wanderer started as a skittish visitor, hissing from afar and vanishing for weeks at a time. But over the past couple of months, she's gone from cautious guest to full-time purrsistor. Rain-soaked paws and early-morning meows turned into long naps and heart-melting cuddles. Despite gentle efforts to encourage her to return to her original humans, she keeps choosing the place where she feels safe, warm, and wanted.

Her official pawrents? Barely batted an eye. No missing posters, no concerned knocks, just a casual "Oh yeah, that's our cat!" and a laugh about her new feeding spot. They didn't even know her name. One might say this kitty has been emotionally abandoned without the paperwork.

Now, the human who's been unintentionally adopted is stuck between a cat and a hard place. Rental rules forbid pets, but the guilt of turning away a feline who's clearly chosen her new family is crushing. She's underweight, underloved, and over the old home. And she's not going back without a fight… or a nap first.

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via Aggressive_Hat_9999
If she’s “just visiting,” then technically she’s not yours. That might help keep things peaceful with the landlord. A purring guest, not a permanent resident… at least on paper!
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via Ok-Lychee1338
There’s no harm in asking. The worst that can happen is they say no, which leaves everything just as it is. Definitely worth a try with no risk involved!
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via hereFOURallTHEtea
You can’t argue with the cats. Their choice is final. When a kitty picks you, it’s a sign that you’re their forever human, no matter what the paperwork says!
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