‘I've grown attached’: Resident feeds outdoor cat for months while suspecting it belongs to a neighbor, decides to take the cat as she moves instead of looking for owner

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Oct 10, 2025 4:00 AM EDT

Befriending outdoor animals is the best possible way to feel like a Disney character. Who doesn't love helping out tiny furry friends in need, getting to feed them, and slowly gaining their trust? All we need is a heartwarming song and maybe the ability to whistle, and we've got ourselves a Disney classic.

Unlike a Disney classic, however, many of us want to do a lot more than just befriend a stray animal in need. Helping them out from time to time is great, but it is much better to actually do the work and help them find a furrever home.

Take the lovely hooman in the story below as an example. She befriended an outdoor cat right outside her house, classic Disney princess. She feeds the friendly feline every day, and she watches him slowly gain health and become more and more trusting in her. Now, she is facing a move to a new place and is considering taking the cat with her, even though there might be another owner somewhere in the neighborhood.

Should she take that final step and bring the kitten to her new house? Keep scrolling to read the full story and decide for yourselves.

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  • 01
    "I want to ensure his safety"
    via Shadi Abghari

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

  • 02

    WIBTA if I took the local stray when I move

    I (27F) am about to move over an hour to another part of the state. For the last few months, I've been feeding a cat that comes on my property.
    via Wrong_Opportunity723
  • 03
    When he first started coming around, he was skinny, weak, and extremely afraid of any human interaction.
    via Wrong_Opportunity723
  • 04
    The first time I brought out food for him, he ran at least twenty feet away to watch me, before eventually coming over to gulp down (seems like bad teeth) and enjoy the wet food.
    via Wrong_Opportunity723
  • 05
    This has obviously continued up until now, where he seems to have returned to a healthy weight, seems strong (jumping over fences, etc) and has allowed me up to about five feet near him, and even call for him to get his breakfast.
    via Wrong_Opportunity723
  • 06
    The problem comes with said move, as I obviously would like to continue feeding this cat as I've grown attached to him and want to ensure his safety.
    via Wrong_Opportunity723
  • 07
    He's a black cat and with Halloween coming up I don't want any kids getting a hold of him and doing something bad.
    via Wrong_Opportunity723
  • 08
    I don't have social media in the sense of neighborhood groups or anything, so I'm not sure who or how I'd ask if he belongs to anyone.
    via Wrong_Opportunity723
  • 09
    With how he acts and how he was when this started, I'd suspect he doesn't belong to anyone, but I also don't want to take him away from a family that might love him.
    via Wrong_Opportunity723
  • 10
    I have 6 cats already (I know, it's a lot, somehow it works) and wouldn't be able to bring him into my house at any point.
    via Wrong_Opportunity723
  • 11
    He would still live outside but would have access to our garage and areas around the property to stay warm and be safe.
    via Wrong_Opportunity723
  • 12
    My husband suggested we take him and look out for any signs about missing cats around the neighborhood before we move, but I'm still unsure.
    via Wrong_Opportunity723
  • 13
    Smiling Woman Hugging Her Cat Outdoors
    via dimaberlinphotos

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

  • 14
    This town is very small, and the amount of stray cats and dogs that run around is appalling, but with our local shelter closing down there's no where else to take him as of now.
    via Wrong_Opportunity723
  • 15
    So I guess the question stands, WIBTA if I took this cat with us?
    via Wrong_Opportunity723
  • 16
    based_pika NTA. And even if he did have an owner, it's probably a owner since he was skinny, weak, and afraid of humans.
    via based_pika
  • 17
    Dragon Queen_666 NTA. If he truly had a home, he wouldn't have been in such a dismal state when you first saw him. Take him along with you and do what you can to make him comfortable at the new place. He might not stay there, but who knows.
    via Dragon_Queen_666
  • 18
    LanMama Cats are territorial and moving him would be a major disruption. He is an outdoor cat and likely would have a difficult time adjusting to living inside with all your cats. If he is to continue to be an outdoor cat, he would be best off staying in his own territory. You could instead see if one of your neighbors is willing to take over leaving some food out for him.
    via LanMama
  • 19
    Lambsenglish NTA for what you want to do, but be wary. This cat's comfort comes more from where it knows than who it knows. If you remove it from its territory, you're likely to meet a whole different personality of the cat.
    via Lambsenglish

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stray cats wholesome aita hoomans adoption heartwarming cat adoption reddit story cute cats feline sweet cat rescue Cat distribution system Reddit Cats rescue
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