'I was shocked': Kind person who rescued an unneutered adult tuxedo stray cat refuses to give it back after his previous owner makes a 'lost cat' post on Facebook 9 months later, because the cat has bonded with her and her other cat

Our cat running away, getting lost, that's one of our worst nightmares when it comes to our cats. We know our cats. We know how spoiled our cats are. We know that they have gotten to the point that they are too lazy to run around after flies. They would not survive out there on their own. So, we keep them as safe as we can and hope that they will not disappear on us one day. So, we can understand the pain of this cat owner and their daughter. A lost cat is one of the most heartbreaking things in the world.

But this cat was not simply lost. This cat was not being taken care of far before it as ever lost. Unneutered, unchipped, with tapeworms and a whole bunch of other things, when this person found this cat, there was no indication that it had ever been a housecat before. So, very kindly, they adopted it, and now, nine months later, when a 'lost cat' poster showed up on Facebook with this cat's picture on it, they don't want to give the cat back.

Is your inbox feline too professional? Add some cats falling off counters. Subscribe here!

01
"[Am I wrong] for not giving the stray cat I found back to his original owner"

via Unsplash / Payam Moin Afshari - panevesht

Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.
Advertisement
02

via ApartmentMobile1299
03

via ApartmentMobile1299
04

via ApartmentMobile1299
Advertisement
05

via ApartmentMobile1299
06

via ApartmentMobile1299
07

via ApartmentMobile1299
Advertisement
08

via ApartmentMobile1299
09

via ApartmentMobile1299
10

via ApartmentMobile1299
Advertisement
11

via Unsplash / Karin Kim - karinkim

Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.
You did the right thing saving this cat, the kindest thing that you could possibly do, and he is so, so lucky to be with you. We understand the guilt you feel, but considering the condition of the cat from before, we don't think that there is any reason for you to reach out and possibly be put in a position of having to give him back.
12

via stillrooted
13

via JuniorNeedleworker24
Advertisement
14

via emwestfall23
15

via ApartmentMobile1299
16

via Unsplash / Mark Stenglein - markstenglein

Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.
Advertisement
Nine months is a long time to put up lost cat posters. And while they were in contact with the shelter, that's not enough. Not enough effort was put into finding this cat by its owner, and that is simply one more red flag on top of a bunch of other ones.
17

via MsMeiriona
18

via CamilleYun
19

via Unsplash / Milada Vigerova

Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.
Advertisement
20

via Educational-Lime-393
21

via I-cant-hug-every-cat