'It's been four **** years': Entitled cousin gives up cute kitten for adoption to couple who love her, but she demands the now adult cat back claiming she finally misses her

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Oct 27, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Once a cat enters our home, it doesn't leave. Not in a creepy way, but in a way that this isn't a halfway house or a foster home - when we adopt a cat, it stays with us for life. We accept it as our responsibility, happily, to feed it, care for it, snuggle it, and make sure it lives out the rest of its days as happy as it can. This is why, purrsonally, we can't foster cats - we just don't have the heart to give up a cat that we've formed a bond with. We've taken cats in from the streets, from neighbors who can't care for them anymore, and even from shelters, but we've never once had to deal with giving one up.

But some people just don't get it. They think that cats are like money, to be loaned and given back whenever they see fit. After adopting a 6-month-old kitten from his cousin, they spent nearly four years falling in love with said kitten. The entitled cousin messages them out of the blue, years after giving up the cat, demanding her cat back. Sorry, mam, this is no longer your cat. Did you bathe it, take it to the vet, feed it, and cuddle with it at night? No. You didn't do any of those things, so you have no right to this cat. If you really miss having a cat at home, go adopt another one; there are plenty of kitties out there who could use good homes.

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  • 01

    Past owner wants my cat back

    Woman holding a black cat including 'You can't wait 3.5 years to decide you want a cat back. Too late.'
    via Helena Lopes from Pexels

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

  • 02
    Hey Guys. So my boyfriend "Bill" got a text from "Paige" last night who is the previous owner of "Kitty" and his cousin.
    via MidnightXWolfAS
  • 03
    The text said that she wanted "Kitty" back and my boyfriend replied with "You would have to pry her out of the cold dead arms of "Amy" (Me)" thinking she was joking.
    via MidnightXWolfAS
  • 04
    "Paige" then replied saying how much she loved "Kitty" and missed her also that she was begging for us to give her back and that since we have other cats it wouldn't matter.
    via MidnightXWolfAS

  • You can't just wake up nearly four years later and realize you miss your cat. The cat doesn't even associate you with family anymore. There are so many cats that need a loving family and furrever home - instead of breaking up a feline family for your own sake, create a new one with a cat in need. There are plenty of purrfect kitties living in shelters that could use your love.

  • 05
    Here's the thing tho, when we agreed to take "Kitty" it was to keep her not to foster we got her at 6 months old and she will be 4 in December.
    via MidnightXWolfAS
  • 06
    Kitten
    via Tahir Xelfe from Pexels

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

  • 07
    We travelled 2+ hours to pick her up then another 2+ hours to bring her home again.
    via MidnightXWolfAS
  • 08
    We have paid for all food, water, toys, vet bills everything since we had gotten her although she was already desexed and microchiped by "Paige" and is still in her name as far as i can remember.
    via MidnightXWolfAS
  • 09
    I save all my vet bills and her name on the vet bills is her name we gave her not "Paige's" name.
    via MidnightXWolfAS

  • There's no way she can try and come for “her” cat. They have medical records and bills for paying for the fluffy feline for over three years. It's unfurtunate that she's family because this will cause some drama (at least, it would in our family), but as pawrents, we have to act in the best interests of our cattos.

  • 10
    I have trained her a little, i can check her ears, eyes, nose, mouth and i can cut her nails and pick her up as well, this is a major improvement to when we first got her as she would attack anyone who would try to restrict her in any way.
    via MidnightXWolfAS
  • 11
    There is no way in hell i will be giving her up without a fight, but if it comes to that would i be able to keep her if "Paige" goes to the lawyer or something.
    via MidnightXWolfAS
  • 12
    A little update. First some info that should be helpful. I live in South Australia. "Paige" lives 2+ hours away from me, has never been to my house and also does not know the address, we also have cameras.
    via MidnightXWolfAS
  • 13
    "Kitty" is a indoor girl that has to escape though 2 different doors to get out.
    via MidnightXWolfAS
  • 14
    Adult cat on colorful blanket
    via Ocskaymark

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

  • 15
    We have messaged her telling her that no we will not be giving her "Kitty" as we adopted her for life and if she continues to be a problem she will get blocked.
    via MidnightXWolfAS
  • 16
    We did not block her straight away as she is family and we are unaware if it could of just been a stressful/emotional day.
    via MidnightXWolfAS
  • 17
    I have contacted the microchip company and they have told me that without the consent of the previous owner the cat will stay in the previous owners name.
    via MidnightXWolfAS
  • 18
    I also went into the vet and they also said that there is little they can do.
    via MidnightXWolfAS
  • 19
    Someone in the comments said they could add another chip, I asked about this and they said that although they can rechip the cat they cannot if the previous chip works, if there is no chip or the chip is broken they can.
    via MidnightXWolfAS
  • 20
    Churchie-Baby Took them 3 and a half years to realize they missed her and love her? F them
    via Churchie-Baby
  • 21
    Batman 19999 Personally, I would just ignore her. I thought it had been a few weeks max, but it's been four damn years so nop.
    via Batman_19999
  • 22
    More-Opposite1758 She is your cat and you can prove it because you have vet bills to prove she's yours. Get her microchipped.
    via More-Opposite1758
  • 23
    ExpensiveNumber7446 She won't have any legal rights to the cat because she gave you the cat. And even without that, how long you have been taking care of the cat and how many years it's been since the previous owner even saw the cat. Not to sound crude about it, but animals fall under property and she gave the cat to you, so the cat is your property.
    via ExpensiveNumber7446
  • 24
    Ok-Capital-8231 It's your cat at this point. You can't wait 3.5 years to decide you want a cat back. Too late.
    via Ok-Capital-8231
  • 25
    underwatertitan Once you adopt a cat, it's yours. It's not hers anymore and its up to you to decide what to do with it. That's like selling something like a car and then telling them a couple of years later you want it back. No it doesn't work that way. I would tell her no, block her and move on.
    via underwatertitan
  • 26
    Wild-Kitchen Depending on where you are, microchip details in your name are not enough to prove ownership. You also need to provide vet receipts, photographic evidence, letters from animal professionals backing up your story.
    via Wild-Kitchen
  • 27
    Presumably you also have all the messages where she asked you to take kitty on and arranged for kitty to live with you?
    via Wild-Kitchen
  • 28
    Feel confident that if this ended up in civil court, you can prove that you have been providing kitty a stable, solid home and providing for her needs for the 3.5+ intervening years and that "paige" intended to give her away permanently not temporarily.
    via Wild-Kitchen
  • 29
    Don't feel threatened. Don't engage her. If she engages a lawyer, take her to civil court.
    via Wild-Kitchen

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family drama adoption kitten animal rescue adopted couples feline forever home Cats loving cute kittens animals entitled people
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