'Hugo chose you': Family cat left outside in summer storms and heat chooses neighbor as her new pawrent, now they're moving across the city and considering to "steal" the cat

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jul 22, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

Hi there, feline fam. There are a few situations where we would consider it "appropriate" for a pet cat to be outside. 

The first would be if the cat had an epically enormous cat-shaped cat house that their owner built them. The second, and similarly, would be if your cat had a closed patio, which they could spend time outside without fear of escaping. The third would be if you have harness-trained your cats and take them on walks outside. That's it. Especially in months with harsh weather, like now where it's pawsitively sweltering outside.

All of this to say that we get where this neighbor is coming from in the post below. They felt their neighbor's cat choose them after being left to survive outside, and now they're wondering what they should do. They're moving, and they don't want to abandon the cat that clearly feels safe with them, but the cat still isn't "theirs" to begin with. What would you do?

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

Advertisement
  • 01

    Do I steal my neighbours' cat?

    'You're not stealing him, you're rescuing him?'
    via fotocelia

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

  • 02
    My neighbours cat used to be very hungry and was left outside in heat waves and flash floods. However, they did treat him when he broke his leg, so they weren't totally negligent. The cat (Hugo) has lived with us for
    via beesngoldfinches
  • 03
    the last two months, only leaving a couple of hours each day to toilet and go play with other cats. I am about to move to another side of the city - do I take the cat? The owners will be devastated but Hugo will be much better looked after. Is stealing always wrong even when the stolen object is better off?
    via beesngoldfinches
  • 04
    wistfulee Take the cat.
    via wistfulee

  • The right thing to do would be to have an honest conversation with the neighbors. If they haven't noticed their cat missing for about two months, chances are they won't mind someone else taking him off their hands. But stealing is wrong, even if it's for the “right” reason.

  • 05
    No-Possible6108 More info needed. Is Hugo an intact male? If so, attempting to relocate him will be problematic, as male cats are very territorial. No matter how well you treat him, once outside at the new location, it's probable he will attempt to return to his territory.
    via No-Possible6108
  • 06
    Also, if he is intact, neutering him will not magically turn him into an indoor cat, as once a male learns to spray, the behavior will persist.
    via No-Possible6108
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10532120832
    via Jelena990

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

  • 08
    LegitimateCulture No! Absolutely not. Just because the cat ate food that you put out. Doesn't mean that it was neglected. Also. Stop taking in cats that you know have an owner.
    via LegitimateCulture
  • 09
    Suerose0423 It's not yours and you should not steal it.
    via Suerose0423
  • 10
    BigMomma12345678 I would ask them
    via BigMomma12345678
  • 11
    thndrbst I mean, it's theft you would be committing a crime, so I guess if you're ok with catching charges, go for it.
    via thndrbst
  • 12
    Vesalii Hugo chose you. Don't abandon him.
    via Vesalii
  • 13
    f_leaver You're not stealing him, you're rescuing him.
    via f_leaver
  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10532120576
    via Andy Andres's Images

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

  • 15
    Enkeydo Had a similar situation with a cat that started hanging around our house. Neighbor came over while I was playing with him, said his name was Riley, i was like "oh he, "s yours? She said Yes. I said "well he started
    via Enkeydo
  • 16
    coming over here so we took him to the vet to get rid of the fleas, worms and get him fixed, cost about $185. She changed the subject real quick and never asked about the cat again. He went with us to the next place we moved.
    via Enkeydo

  • Whatever they do, there will be consequences. But that's life, isn't it? You can't make everyone happy, and the sooner you realize that, the easier your life will be. We learned that lesson after we turned 30, and oh boy, has it changed the way we do things a lot.

  • 17
    Ridevic I vote take the cat. I was in a similar situation with a neighbour and a month after moving out I went back for a visit and found the cat super malnourished and full of fleas,
    via Ridevic
  • 18
    so you bet I swooped her up and she lives a happy life with me now. Neighbours never even asked (they had my number). I just had to make sure that I kept record of her medical costs, because in my area you can use that to prove you have taken care of the needs of the animal and claim ownership that way.
    via Ridevic
  • 19
    enidokla I was part of a negligent cat napping from a neighbor once. No regrets. She was a great cat -- lavender point Siamese. The neighbor went to jail and so I swooped in and took kitty to vet to be spayed. I figured that sealed the deal. They came over once and I said "No, she's not your cat. I just had this one spayed."
    via enidokla
  • 20
    paintingdusk13 Sounds like an indoor/outdoor cat and you're going out of your way to justify stealing someone's cat.
    via paintingdusk13
  • 21
    Practical-minded Cat is probably chipped
    via Practical-minded
  • 22
    Icgrrl2017 Ask the neighbor if you can take him as much time as he spends at your place.
    via Icgrrl2017
  • 23
    Jumpy-Fault-1412 Take him and then if anyone ever comes looking, they won't, say he snuck into your stuff and you were so shocked to find him when you got to your destination. Yup. Lie and steal for the cat.
    via Jumpy-Fault-1412
  • 24
    GadgetRho Take him. If the owners leave him outside, they expect him to not come back some day. That's just part of the package with outdoor cats. They have an average lifespan of two years.
    via GadgetRho

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

Tags

neighbors Heat stealing summer city cat rescue pawrents family Cats animals
Scroll Down For The Next Article