'I was never intending to give her back': 10 years after giving up her cat for adoption, woman's sister finds the fluffy feline on the streets, leading to a heartwarming reunion and questions about previous owners

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Oct 1, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

We've never been in the pawsition where we would have to give up any of our cats, but we can't imagine how painful that must be. We don't even want to think about parting with our purrfect cats. We have three, and even leaving one behind would be nearly impawssible. But, life happens, and we all know that life isn't fair. After learning that she couldn't take her cat with her across the country, one cat mom reluctantly gave her cat up for adoption to a friend. Then, 10 years later, her sister found her cat wandering the streets in need of help!

The cat pawrent drove back to have a heartwarming reunion, happy to hold her in her arms once more. She reconnected with her friend, learning that her cat had escaped about a year after she moved away. She was covered in fleas and in need of medical treatment. But as she was helping her poor kitty heal, she came across a Facebook post saying that someone had lost "her" cat, however, the state they found her in was not something a normal cat would be in if they lived in a loving house. She eventually decided to take this kitty coincidence in stride and not respond to the post. Her cat was returned to her, by chance or by fate, and now they're both purrfectly happy.

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  • 01

    Should I respond to my new (old) cat's previous owners post?

    Female firefighter holding a cat including 'I am so happy I get a second chance with her.'
    via Myron Standret

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

  • 02
    But agreed it's not needed and she's living her best life Kind of a weird situation - I adopted a kitten in 2012, but had to rehome her to a friend in 2014 because I got a new job across the country and couldn't take her.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 03
    I spayed and microchipped her. I lost touch with the friend after about a year. In July I got a call from the shelter in my old town, saying my cat had arrived (my name was still on her microchip) and she's in bad shape.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 04
    Luckily, my sister was around and able to scoop her up. The cat had a severe flea allergy (and was absolutely covered), as well as dermatitis.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651

  • Wow, what are the odds of finding a cat you gave up for adoption ten years ago? We can't imagine they are very high, even if you live in a small town (we don't know where they live, but this sounds like a small town story to us). Life brought them back together, for whatever reason, and now they can snuggle together until the end of her days.

  • 05
    Outside cat scratching itself
    via Vlad Yushinov

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

  • 06
    She has very bad arthritis in her legs and can't jump or walk well. The shelter workers and the vet said they thought she looked as though she had been on the streets for a while.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 07
    I drove across the country to pick her up - I'm in a more stable place now and felt really elated I could care for her well at this point.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 08
    Honestly it was very emotional for me and I am so happy I get a second chance with her.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 09
    She's been with me for about two months now and her dermatitis is gone, she's gained a healthy amount of weight, and has gotten treatment for several benign lumps on her body.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 10
    All of her hair has finally grown back and with joint supplements her movement seems less painful.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 11
    She's really doing well. I have recent vet records and have spent \~$1200 on care at this point.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 12
    I reconnected with my old friend, who let me know that the cat ran away about a year after I moved away, and despite looking they never found her.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 13
    Woman holding cat lovingly
    via Imágenes de Andrés Diaz

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

  • 14
    Out of curiosity I started looking on lost pet facebook groups, and today I found a listing for her.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 15
    The ad stated they had her for 10 years. It was dated July 6, and I got the original call from the shelter on July 3.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 16
    Which means she wasn't lost for very long, and the condition she was found in is probably just how she was living.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651

  • A lot of people claim to “care” for a cat, when it really just means making the cat live outdoors and giving them food. That is not caring for a cat, as a pet owner should. That is providing, barely, for one of their many basic needs. They need shelter, safety, and security as well. Life is scary outside for a simple house cat.

  • 17
    I really want to reach out to the person who posted the lost ad to let them know she is safe and cared for, but I don't want to return her.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 18
    She wasn't receiving medical attention and she's in a better home now. If I reach out and they demand her back do I have any obligation to comply?
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 19
    Are there legal grounds for this? It seems a bit complicated since my name was/is still on the microchip and I'm the original original owner.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 20
    UPDATE/EDIT: Decided I will not contact!! I guess I just wanted to make sure that wasn't entirely unethical?
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 21
    was never intending to give her back, I just wanted to let them know she's safe.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • 22
    pdperson Definitely do not contact these people.
    via pdperson
  • 23
    Professional Yam3119 No good can come from contacting her.
    via ProfessionalYam3119
  • 24
    Calgary Calico If she'd only been missing a few days that means she wasn't being cared for. A cats condition doesn't get THAT bad in just a few days just from fleas, that takes weeks or months of neglect. Not to mention her other health issues. Leave it be. She's where she belongs, with you
    via Calgary_Calico
  • 25
    chachingmaster Let it be and let it go. She's yours again.
    via chachingmaster
  • 26
    GodivasAunt I don't know your vet's definition of "a while" is, but from your description, I'd guess she's been on her own for 3-6mos minimum. That'd be March - June when she initially got lost, not July 6. They don't know
    via GodivasAunt
  • 27
    WHEN they lost her if you were called July 3 and they didn't report til 3 days later. They didn't say they'd been on vacation & people watching her weren't careful.... I'm reading that she left their home but they didn't decide to put it online until july 6. (Don't know WHY they finally listed her.)
    via GodivasAunt
  • 28
    If you hadn't gone looking for it, you'd have never known. Hence, "ignorance is bliss" -- BE IGNORANT!!
    via GodivasAunt
  • 29
    I'd lock your kitty in my house and, if those folks came to my door and asked, I'd lie my bt - off and say I hadn't seen her. There's a reason The universe, fate, God, whatever you want to call it brought kitty back to you. LISTEN TO THE UNIVERSE! Give her a good, safe, healthy home to live out her years!!
    via GodivasAunt
  • 30
    AmbitiousReveal4806 No, no, no. Leave it alone. If they were not taking GOOD CARE of her then; they WILL NOT NOW. Love and enjoy your KAT and be greatful you got her back and that they DON'T have her anymore.
    via AmbitiousReveal4806
  • 31
    name_checks_out86 2012 - You got a kitten. 2014 - You gave your friend the cat when you moved cross country.
    via name_checks_out86
  • 32
    2015 The cat went missing. - Possibly was found/rescued/kidnapped by someone who may have had custody of it the past 10 years. Based on its condition cat was either mistreated/neglected by its keeper or had been lost and in bad condition for a while.
    via name_checks_out86
  • 33
    - 2025 Cat is found and traced back to you. 13 year old cat is in horrible condition. You nurse cat back to health, cat is finally home and safe and happy.
    via name_checks_out86
  • 34
    Your question, should you tell the alleged 10 year caretakers, maybe abers, so they won't worry about the cat anymore, or do you just love on the cat and move on with life? Worst case scenario, they rage against you, try to find you, sue you, slander you, break into your house. Best case scenario they say, oh thanks.
    via name_checks_out86
  • 35
    Personally, I would just take this as a weird life win.
    via name_checks_out86

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fluffy felines adoption heartwarming reunion animal rescue adopted cat owners feline cat rescue forever home Cats loving animals rescue
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