Neighbor finds missing cat after owners put up posters offering $800 reward, neighbor brings the cat back, only to be guilted for accepting the reward: ‘I have benefited from their misfortune’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Sep 17, 2025 4:00 AM EDT

When a pet goes missing, most owners would do pretty much anything to get their beloved furriend back. We have yet to meet a pet owner who would not sell their own soul to be reunited with their most prized "possession". Love has no price tag.

So it shouldn't come as a surprise when one sees a "missing pet" poster that a reward is offered to whoever finds the pet. If a reward can help speed the recovery process and find the pet faster, that is a small price to pay. And if someone was kind enough to take care of the pet after finding it and while waiting to return it, then they can have all the money in the world, if you ask us.

That is what we would have told the sweet hooman in the story below, after they felt guilty for accepting an $800 reward for finding a neighbor's cat. They did a good deed, and we understand it can be weird to accept a prize for that, but they definitely deserve it.

Keep scrolling to read the full story.

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  • 01
    Banner with the announcement of the missing cat hanging on a tree in the park
    via StockSeller_ukr

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    AITA for accepting an $800 reward for a lost cat?

    Last week, a lost cat flyer was placed in my mailbox with a plea for help finding their precious family pet, with an $800 reward for information or return.
    via Daintydaisychild
  • 03
    Well as luck would have it, a few days later while I was walking home, I saw the very same cat scrounging for food out of a garbage can, and the collar confirmed it was the cat.
    via Daintydaisychild
  • 04
    I took it home, gave it some food, and called the owners' phone number. Of course the family was estatic, and they picked up the cat the same day.
    via Daintydaisychild
  • 05
    They thanked me, hugged me, cried, and then asked for my information to send me the $800, though in retrospect they were hesitant to do that last part.
    via Daintydaisychild
  • 06
    Normally I wouldn't accept the money, I'd just be happy to have made the family happy.
    via Daintydaisychild
  • 07
    But honestly I've been struggling lately, more than usual, and $800 is an amount that would help me a ton.
    via Daintydaisychild
  • 08
    So I accepted it. Anyways I was telling some friends about this, and they all got kind of weird when I mentioned the money exchanged.
    via Daintydaisychild
  • 09
    Most of them agreed they wouldn't accept the money, and that it's kind of in bad taste to take the money for a good deed.
    via Daintydaisychild
  • 10
    They pointed out that since they also live in my neighbourhood, they certainly aren't wealthy. I feel kind of sick thinking how I have benefited from their misfortune.
    via Daintydaisychild
  • 11
    Am I overthinking it? AITA? I know they did offer the reward, but is it tacky or ride to accept it?
    via Daintydaisychild
  • 12
    Person Counting Money
    via Photo By: Kaboompics.com

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 13
    A123P1 If I lost my cat and someone helped find her for whatever reason, I'd consider it money well spent. You don't need to feel bad about it. If you do still feel bad about it, either give a portion to charity or refund them when you're more financially stable.
    via A123P1
  • 14
    OP Daintydaisychild Thank you for that perspective :)
    via Daintydaisychild
  • 15
    RoxiOxy Overthinking it go buy yourself something nice
    via RoxiOxy
  • 16
    OP Daintydaisychild Thanks, I'm a chronic overthinker. I think I'm gonna put it towards a new laptop since mine is falling apart lol
    via Daintydaisychild
  • 17
    pinkydelicious NTA. I'd feel the same way about the moral gray area, but the key is they *offered* the reward. They explicitly wanted to compensate whoever found their cat and you did exactly what they asked. Taking the reward isn't exploiting their misfortune, it's accepting what they willingly offered in gratitude. You helped them and they wanted to show appreciation in a tangible way. Feeling conflicted is natural but don't beat yourself up, you did a good deed and they honored it as intended
    via pinkydelicious
  • 18
    OP Daintydaisychild Thank you so much for your response. I think I agree that feeling conflicted doesn't necessarily mean I did something wrong.
    via Daintydaisychild
  • 19
    LittlePotaat Be honest. How many cats have you catnapped so far? NTA. I'm not sure I would have accepted the money, but it's not like you stole it. They offered. See it as an instant karma pay off. You would have still done the same had there not been a reward, right?
    via LittlePotaat
  • 20
    OP Daintydaisychild Haha, you caught me! But yes, I definitely would have done the same without a reward. The missing cats and dogs signs always make me want to cry. As someone who grew up with pets I can understand the desperation.
    via Daintydaisychild
  • 21
    Effective Healthy1381 They offered. You accepted. You didnt even drag it out of them. Your good.
    via EffectiveHealthy1381
  • 22
    AZ52020vision The reward is what likely made you subconsciously or consciously remember that cat, and then be inclined to go check its collar when you found it. The reward worked. You are not an ah le at all.
    via AZ52020vision
  • 23
    Schlag96 NAH. They wouldn't have offered it if they couldn't afford it. Or they'd have offered less. And if you didn't need it, you'd have refused it or taken less. Nobody is the a h le here.
    via Schlag96
  • 24
    Catboy-mew NTA they offered, it might be "polite" to not accept it but it doesn't make you an a h le for taking it
    via Catboy-mew

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wholesome missing aita neighbors hoomans heartwarming reward reddit story cute cats cat owners feline sweet cat rescue Reddit Cats money rescue
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