'I couldn't have possibly known that the man lied about where the cat really came from': 23-year-old refuses to give up cat after ex's lie sparks catstody battle with original owner nearly a year later

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Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
Jul 21, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

A 23-year-old woman found herself tangled in a complicated situation after accepting a cat from her ex-boyfriend nearly a year ago. He told her the cat came from a friend who no longer wanted her, but the truth turned out to be less straightforward. The cat had actually been taken from a former girlfriend.

Almost a year later, the cat has become a full part of this woman's life. She's listed on the lease, microchipped, insured, and happily bonded with her other kitty. Suddenly, the alleged original owner reappeared and started causing hissteria, demanding the cat's return and harassing the woman with constant messages and calls.

Faced with the difficult decision of whether to keep the cat or return her, the woman chose to stand firm after investing so much time, money, and love. While the past remains complicated, the cat's place is clearly with the woman who has cared for her through thick and thin—a reminder that sometimes family is found in unexpected places.

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  • 01
    'He stole her cat and gave it to his second girlfriend'
    via bona-katja from Pixabay / Canva

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

  • 02
    I(23f) received a cat from an ex bf 11 months ago. From what he told me this cat was his friend's cat that they no longer wanted. I eagerly agreed to take in the cat and that was that. I ended up breaking up with this bf because I found out I was a second gf. I don't know the exact details of it nor did I ask. I simply left him and completely broke off contact with him.
    via Proof-Ad-481
  • 03
    Now 11 months later this cat is on my lease, I have pet insurance for her, and she's chipped which she wasn't when I got her. I also got another cat five months ago that she has bonded very very well with.
    via Proof-Ad-481
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10532390144
    via SpeedPhoto / Canva

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

  • 05
    Now onto the ex bf situation. Well apparently he lied. There was no friend who no longer wanted a cat. There was such a toxic relationship with a gf. She broke his pc and in retaliation he stole her cat and gave it to his second girlfriend. I was unaware of this whole situation.
    via Proof-Ad-481
  • 06
    She reached out to me last week and explained the whole situation. I felt really bad but I also knew where this conversation was going. She asked for her cat back and I didn't respond for two days. She spent those two days spamming me with texts and even calls. (Also idk how she found my number). I responded back and said no.
    via Proof-Ad-481
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10532389888
    via anandaBGD / Canva

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

  • 08
    I said even though this was her cat first it's no longer her cat now. I couldn't have possibly known that the man lied about where the cat really came from but either way it's been ELEVEN months. I spent a crop ton of time and money into this cat just to give her back to her first owner. I
    via Proof-Ad-481
  • 09
    ended up blocking up because she sent a nasty paragraph and proceeded to spam text me. Also I'm pretty sure she gave her friends my number because I've been receiving nasty texts and calls for the past day. AITA?
    via Proof-Ad-481
  • 10
    BlondDee1970 INFO: Where has she been the past 11 months? Did she know all along you had her cat? If yes, that door has closed- it's been too long. But if she's been searching for her cat the past 11
    via BlondDee1970
  • 11
    months and finally found you...I do feel like that cat is stolen property. Its ks and you didn't do it - but I'd be heartbroken if my fur baby. was stolen.
    via BlondDee1970
  • 12
    LadyxxTay If she has proof and has been actively looking for her cat then yes, Yta. She should however offer to reimburse you vet fees.
    via LadyxxTay
  • 13
    Original Oddventur... NTA. If that cat wasn't chipped and you get it. chipped with your details, by law that is your cat now. I doubt she can prove ownership to the satisfaction of a court anyway. It's not a nice
    via OriginalOddventures
  • 14
    situation and if she's being truthful it's ok to feel sorry for her but I guarantee that cat has well and truly moved on and her possible former owner needs to as well.
    via OriginalOddventures
  • 15
    curiatty Were there notices and posters for a missing cat? From what I've seen of people with pets, when they go missing there's a lot of activity and attempts to find the fur baby. Does this woman have anything like that to prove she just found you with the cat?
    via curiatty
  • 16
    If she can't produce an old advertisement, time stamped pic of a poster, or something to prove she's been searching for 11 months, then keep YOUR cat. If she has those things, it would be cruel to keep her cat just because it took a long time for her to find it.
    via curiatty
  • 17
    abcdef_U2 NTA. This took place 11 months ago. I can't see how it took 11 months to come to you looking to get her cat back. You have given that cat a loving home and gone above and beyond. You did all the necessary things to be a responsible cat owner. By getting her chipped,
    via abcdef_U2
  • 18
    insurance, I'm also assuming you to have taken her to the vet for her shots and so on. She became your fur baby. If it was shortly after you took her in, I could get she was important enough that she was searching for her and desperately wanted her back. But 11 months. This day and age with social media, tech, there is not logical reason to why she couldn't find you sooner.
    via abcdef_U2
  • 19
    She would have obviously know her BF probably stole her cat, just by the timing of the cat going missing and the fact she broke his ps. She could have gotten the police involved or taken him to court to locate her cat. She doesn't get to have a say in you either keeping or giving her back.
    via abcdef_U2
  • 20
    Let her know you are opened to a court's decision. If she wants to harass you personally and getting others to as well. You will have no choice but to file charges against her.
    via abcdef_U2

  • Chipping her, insuring her, covering vet bills, and adding her to the lease all clearly show ownership. It’s a tough spot, but you can stand firm in your rightful pawrentship. 

  • 21
    EllieColllins NTA. You had no clue and you've cared for that cat for almost a year. She bonded, she's chipped to you, she's on your lease
    via EllieColllins
  • 22
    Icy_Trade_8781 Does she have proof it is the same cat.
    via Icy_Trade_8781

  • If she hasn’t been looking for the cat, there’s no question it’s yours now. She needs to prove she was actively searching and that the cat was actually hers to begin with.

  • 23
    ALegitimateAccou... If she can't prove she's been looking for the cat for the last 11 months, it's not going to go anywhere. Most likely, they broke things off, and now she wants the cat back. He knew where the cat was. She never asked him or tried to reach out for nearly a year? NTA, after that amount of time, the police aren't even going to get involved, its a civil matter at this point
    via ALegitimateAccount96
  • 24
    Aradhor55 If you had my cat, that I searched for eleven months... Money or not spent on it I would get it back. If she didn't looked for it, it's different.
    via Aradhor55

  • It’s been almost a year. If she’s been actively searching and can prove it, she might have a case. But if she only just started caring now, the cat definitely belongs with you.

  • 25
    Ruebee90 NTA! It's been 11 months and the cat was not chipped the cat is your now on paper at least.
    via Ruebee90
  • 26
    Zealousideal-Ad-4... Doesn't matter if you're the ahole or not it comes. down to legality. Without proof you're fine. If she has proof doesn't matter you'll have to give it back regardless.
    via Zealousideal-Ad-4113

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boyfriend pets girlfriend exes cat owners feline argument pawrents Cats
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