'I kidnapped my neighbor’s friendly cat because I confused it for my own': DoorDash escapade leads to copycat confusion, a neighborly return, and a happy reunion

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Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
Sep 8, 2025 6:00 PM EDT

This is a case of misstaken identity. A WFH hooman in a duplex lives with Pickles, a grey tabby famous for side-eye and a purr rate of zero. During a DoorDash delivery, Pickles slips outside. Hours later, scratch-scratch at the door announces a grey tabby return. This cat is unusually sweet, curls on the couch, and fires up a tiny motor. That isn't Pickles' brand, but the hooman blames a life-changing squirrel seminar and welcomes Pickles 2.0.

The next day, the neighbor arrives in a panic asking about Smokey, a friendly grey tabby who purrs at air and dreams of tuna. Eyes drift to the windowsill. The "reformed" Pickles is clearly Smokey, copycat in every sense. Apologies happen, paperwork gets mewved, and Smokey is escorted home after a very thorough surprise sleepover. 

An hour later, the real Pickles clomps in leaf-dusted and unimpressed, reclaiming his post as Chief Judge of Everything. Scoreboard: one accidental catnapping, two near-twins, maximum embarrassment, and a renewed respect for microchips, tags, and knowing a cat's signature scowl. Order restored. Pickles resumes glaring. The hooman resumes laughing.

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  • 01
    Let me preface this by saying: I live in a duplex, I work from home, and I've always considered myself a "cat person." I have a grey tabby named Pickles. He's a little dumb, a lot lazy, and has the personality of a couch that farts.
    via girlghostface
  • 02
    Anyway, three days ago, Pickles somehow slipped out the front door during my DoorDash sprint (I don't cook, don't judge me). A few hours later, I hear scratching at the door. Lo and behold, Pickles is back! Or so I thought...
    via girlghostface
  • 03
    He was acting weird. Friendlier. No attempts to bite me. He even curled up next to me on the couch and purred. Pickles doesn't purr. Pickles judges. But I chalked it up to him having a near-death squirrel encounter or something that made him reevaluate life.
    via girlghostface
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10551335424
    via Aleksandr Zotov / Canva

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

  • 05
    Fast forward to today. My neighbor knocks on my door in full panic mode.
    via girlghostface
  • 06
    "Hey, have you seen Smokey? He's my cat. Grey tabby. Very sweet. Will purr at anything. Loves tuna and-" My soul left my body. I turned my head. "Pickles" was sitting on the windowsill like a furry little felon, staring at me like I'd just been caught with 10 kilos of Meow Mix. I mumbled something like, "uhhh brb," scooped up the cat, handed him over, and just said, "He... uh... came in for a nap. Really long nap. Surprise sleepover."
    via girlghostface
  • 07
    The worst part? My actual cat came back an hour later like nothing happened. Covered in leaves. Looking mildly disappointed that I hadn't even noticed he was gone.
    via girlghostface
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10551335680
    via Oleg Troino's Images / Canva

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

  • 09
    Basically, I kidnapped my neighbor's friendly cat because I confused it for my own grumpy one. Nobody pressed charges, but Pickles is still judging me.
    via girlghostface
  • 10
    Babexo22 no wonder pickles is bitter... he was testing you and had the neighbors cat help him. He really wanted to see what you would do in that situation and you failed... you replaced him immediately and didn't even notice it wasn't him you
    via Babexo22
  • 11
    might wanna sleep with one eye open or pickles might jar you awake and can you from the job of human butler. Then he'll replace you with the neighbor and pretend nothing happened, you'd be in quite a pickle then
    via Babexo22

  • Clearly Pickles engineered this mix-up for maximum hooman chaos. Prepare the Churu grovel package and practice your apologies. A few tubes, strategic chin scritches, and the Chief Judge may grant parole with purrmission.

  • 12
    Jynx-Online Best. Post. Ever. I genuinely had a good laugh at that. The self-delusion that your cat suddenly woke up one day and finally became the loving pet you hoped for is the most "cat parent" thing. ever.
    via Jynx-Online
  • 13
    I keep waiting for the day my cat will suddenly decide she actually likes laps all along and has just never realised. The closest I get is she will sit on my pillow when I am trying to sleep
    via Jynx-Online

  • Every judgy cat pawrent waits for the day the resident critic leaps into their lap, settles for cuddles, and doesn’t swat after two pity pets. Manifesting lap loaf now.

  • 14
    Frosty_Astronome... If they look alike can you exchange the judgmental one for the good guy
    via Frosty_Astronomer909
  • 15
    Super_Reading2048 Wow poor Pickles, how could you betray him?!?!? Better build him a catio, microchip him, keep him inside for the rest of his life and buy a whole truckload of Churu of delectables lickable treats. Pickles is going to trip you down a staircase one day.
    via Super_Reading2048
  • 16
    Cycle Accomplish... Smokey and Pickles are identical twin siblings. They conspired together to do the identity trick on you.
    via CycleAccomplished824
  • 17
    watch-nerd Pickles smells the other cat on you and in his house. He knows you cheated.
    via watch-nerd
  • 18
    Pingouin Malin So you fed, sheltered and cuddled him for three days? Expect to see Smokey again. He will not forget.
    via PingouinMalin

  • Bet Smokey schedules future check-ins. That friendly floof might run a purrsonality workshop for Pickles: Intro to Purring, Advanced Cuddles, Basic Non-Judgment. Tuition payable in tuna. Office hours: windowsill.

  • 19
    redcolumbine I'm glad Pickles home. But you need new glasses.
    via redcolumbine
  • 20
    Aggravating_Feed... My friend had a hulking tabby that ruled the backward when he would go out. On a few occassions we "saved" him from sticky situations only to discover it was one of a couple dopplegangers. It always felt insane the moment of realization that we had brought the wrong cat home or grabbed a random.
    via Aggravating_Feed2411
  • 21
    TopAngle 7630 Pickles and Smokey need to consult r/legalcatadvice to determine what your punishment should be.
    via TopAngle7630

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Cats mistaken identity hoomans pets lol feline pawrents funny
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