'The cat distribution system has chosen me but I can't accept': A friendly neighborhood cat keeps showing up, but with her own cats inside, this pawrent is figuring out how to show love without opening the door

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Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
Aug 1, 2025 4:00 PM EDT

One woman has become the reluctant Chosen One in a tale that could only be written by the mysterious forces of the Cat Distribution System. Since 2017, her neighbor's cat had been nothing more than a friendly passerby, dropping by for the occasional purr and polite head bump. But lately? This floofy visitor has gone full-time garden gremlin. For the past few months, he's been clocking in daily, rain or shine, eagerly waiting for his human-in-denial to step outside for a smoke or trash run.

Every interaction is pure feline devotion: purring, biscuit-making, tail-up sprints, and heart-melting meows at the door. The only problem? She already has two ragdolls with health issues and strict indoor-only lives. Bringing the visitor inside isn't an option, and her cats are throwing hissy fits every time she returns smelling like a love triangle.

She doesn't feed him, but clearly, the emotional buffet is open 24/7. What's a human to do when the Cat Distribution System picks them but they can't officially adopt? Maybe a little outdoor love with no strings attached is all part of the grand feline plan.

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  • 01
    'I feel so guilty because I can't take him inside'
    via Karen Hogan / Canva

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

  • 02
    So this cat belongs to my neighbour, not next door but quite a few houses away. He's been here since I moved here in 2017 and has always been so so so friendly but never hung round my garden 24/7 until the last 2 or 3 months. For the past couple of
    via Massive-Toe2147
  • 03
    months this cat is in my garden every day pretty much all day any time I look. He runs to me with his tail up and immediately starts purring every time I go for a cigarette or to take stuff out to the bins. I mean like
    via Massive-Toe2147
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10536371456
    via Massive-Toe2147
  • 05
    every.single.time. He is so sweet and will lick me and head butt me and make biscuits on the ground when im just sitting next to him. I feel so guilty because I can't take him inside, I have my own two cats who are ragdolls with health issues so they're indoor cats. But seeing this guy literally running to me every time I come out, and sitting in my outdoor chair/on my
    via Massive-Toe2147
  • 06
    Cheezburger Image 10536392704
    via Elles Rijsdijk / Canva

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

  • 07
    grass all day just waiting for me to go out is making me kinda sad :( He meows at the door when I go back in too. It makes me really sad. Like the cat distribution system has chosen me but I can't accept.
    via Massive-Toe2147
  • 08
    Also- NO I don't feed him. What do I do because I don't want to ignore him, but also my cats get stressed when I go inside smelling like another cat and when i try to pet them they hiss at me.
    via Massive-Toe2147
  • 09
    ThrowLAhopefulelk have you thought about maybe talking to your neighbor about the possibility of you finding this sweet boy a new home? if he's over at your place this much, they clearly don't care about this poor little guys whereabouts. outdoor life is also really rough on cats, especially timid ones.
    via ThrowLAhopefulelk
  • 10
    OR have you entertained the idea of taking little man to the vet to see if he's healthy, and then maybe slowly introducing him to your kitties? it's a slow process, but clearly this guy wants a family and love, and he seems to have chosen you.
    via ThrowLAhopefulelk

  • Maybe have a talk with your neighbor about their cat. If he’s not comfortable at home and you can’t bring him inside, you might find a better solution together for his happiness.

  • 11
    Amuro__6 I would buy some treats and food for him and spend as much time with him as possible. Unfortunately, he's not yours, and the actual owners neglect him.
    via Amuro_6
  • 12
    theproudestmon... maybe get him a small cat house outside with a bed? ....so he can chill near you but have his 'own' place.
    via theproudestmonkey33
  • 13
    its_just_flesh Put out a little box or blanket for him to sit on
    via its_just_flesh • 20h ago

  • Maybe giving him his own cozy setup outside could help. A little bed or sheltered spot just for him. That way he feels welcome without stressing out your indoor kitties.

  • 14
    Ok_Nebula_481 Maybe ask your neighbor if you're able to take in the cat. Get him to a vet make sure he's healthy. Depending on what your cats have just bring him indoors see how he likes it. It will take time tho he might not like it off the bat. Slowly introduce and hopefully it's possible. If not just keep him as comfortable outside as
    via OK_Nebula_481
  • 15
    you can. I brought in a stray that was supposedly someone's garage cat I tried getting in contact with that but wasn't able to. So I just brought her in and she's been happy inside my house for more than 6months
    via OK_Nebula_481
  • 16
    VampireDarlin You could try setting up a little cat house in the garden for him to chill in. You may not be able to take him inside your home, but perhaps you could make your garden a safe space
    via VampireDarlin
  • 17
    Majestic Debate63... That is the look of love! I can understand that you can't take him in because of your other cats. But like some other Redditors mentioned, maybe you can make a catio area with a waterproof cat house that has blankets, water, and treats.
    via MajesticDebate6396
  • 18
    I think it's neglect to keep a cat outdoors all day, even if the cat is fed and watered. He is probably starved for affection and has adopted you for company. You might call an appropriate agency for advice if the cat's basic needs (food, shelter, medical) are not being met. But you want to avoid any outcome where the cat is taken to a (kill) shelter.
    via MajesticDebate6396
  • 19
    AdelleVDL You have been chosen.
    via AdelleVDL

  • The Cat Distribution System has made its choice! He may not live inside, but he’s made it purrfectly clear. You’re his favorite human. Outdoor love counts too!

  • 20
    Teab8g Dem toes... My cat also does this to neighbours ect... I feed him 3 times a day. He is just a inner fatty.
    via Teab8g

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neighbors feline Cats pets advice cat owners pawrents Cat distribution system stray
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