‘I am not going to STEAL SOMEONE'S PET’: A man's struggle between his desire to help a neglected cat and his moral code, as a persistent feline refuses to take no for an answer and keeps returning to his home

Author image for Laurent Shinar
Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Sep 9, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

We often remark on here about how tough cat adoptions or rescues can be. But with this one we seem to be facing a problem that is of a completely opposing nature to all those other stories. This is the story of a cat who apparently did not enjoy his home life all too much and so went out looking for something better. Ltitie did the cat know that something better would be just a few doors down from its original home in the form of our protagonist's house.

The problem being that the curious catto did not receive an invitation to enter the home and set up camp, he just went on in. Which to the dismay of the person whose house it was and the cat's original owner would become a cycle that they would have absolutely no control over.
 

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  • 01
    Long story short, this cat has been entering our house repeatedly. He's very affectionate to everyone he meets (terraced housing area with lots of students) EXCEPT his owners. We don't know why.
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 02
    Initially we thought he was a stray because he would come in and refuse to leave, up to the point he once nipped me for trying to pick him up and take him outside. He lets me pick him up normally, just not if he's worked out that's the destination.
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 03
    The owner has collected him several times and instructed us not to let him in or feed him but he has so far;
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 04
    • Tricked several passers by into knocking on our door, then running in when we answer. • Shot in when we've returned home with our son from school before we've realised he's there.
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 05
    • Waited until I've gone to leave, then wedged himself in the door frame so I I can't close it while risking injury.
    via Karachna_Orglaz

  • Well, well, this is one heck of a devious catto and a less than aware owner who really should know better than to try to put an end to a cat’s will by telling someone not to let the cat into their home. Like, seriously, when was the last time you heard of a cat being stopped by a door…

  • 06
    I've even tried chasing him off but he comes straight back. The fact he is friendly with everyone and we know he has entered several houses but will not let his owners touch him or go within two meters of their door
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10551078144
    via Africa Studio via Adobe Stock

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

  • 08
    (I know, I've tested because he'll happily walk down the street with me but won't go near their property) is starting to concern me. The owner doesn't seem to be willing to do anything about it
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 09
    (won't keep him indoors or put a collar on him, even took off the collar we put on when we thought he was a stray). What do I do?
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 10
    Edit 2: Some people are suggesting I steal someone else's cat. This is not an option. Firstly I would feel horrible taking someone's pet like that,
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 11
    secondly my partner has a major surgery tomorrow and will be in recovery for three months. This cat will be an infection risk.
    via Karachna_Orglaz

  • Jheez, it really sounds as though this cat needs a home that is not his owners, nor this poor unsuspecting couple who have other, much larger fish to fry. But what are you meant to do when caught in the middle of an awkward situation like this. Its not like they could call animal control because the owner causes the cat to run away…

  • 12
    Update: Thank yous and call-outs. Firstly I would like to thank all the people that gave helpful advice. Baby
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 13
    Gates and water were a lot more helpful than I was expecting and they didn't cross my mind because I never had to use them myself on the family cat I grew up with.
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 14
    Secondly to all the people who assumed incomplete information to be quite rude, I wish you a very pleasant therapy. Some points to make things clear.
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 15
    . • My partner had a cancer related hysterectomy and therefore a 12" abdominal cut. She has early onset arthritis so yes, is immunocompromise d due to the medication she has
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 16
    Cheezburger Image 10551078400
    via SerPhoto via Adobe Stock

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

  • 17
    to take to control it. Spot on to the person who worked that out even if they were being sarcastic. • Yes obviously I would love to have a cat as friendly as this one is (even if he bites when you try
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 18
    to extract him) but I am not going to STEAL SOMEONE'S PET. Suggestions of asking if they're willing to transfer ownership were helpful but will have to wait until my partner has healed.
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 19
    Zadojla Many years ago I met a guy whose family had a cat.
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 20
    Over a period of a couple weeks, the cat brought its toys to the house across the street one by one, then went to live there permanently.
    via Karachna_Orglaz
  • 21
    henicorina I have no advice except that, for the sake of any cat you may own in the future, you need to get much better at keeping cats on the
    via Karachna_Orglaz

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steal desire cat man pets morals struggle reddit story help cat story feline someone neglect return
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