'You’ve met the kitten that hangs around here': Couple finds a friendly stray outside their new apartment and slowly realizes he’s chosen them as his forever home

Author image for Sarah Brown
Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
Oct 30, 2025 6:00 PM EDT

When a young cat started hanging around a new apartment complex, one couple couldn't help but take notice. At first, he seemed like a friendly neighborhood visitor. Social, sweet, and curious about everyone who walked by. But after a few days of seeing him wander alone and realizing no one claimed him, concern turned into care.

They started small, offering food, water, and a warm spot on their porch. Soon enough, the cat, now affectionately named Gary, began trusting them more, greeting them with purrs and choosing their company over the cold outdoors. He'd wander out during the day but always come back, sometimes tapping at the window for his nightly visit.

The couple plans to scan for a chip and post flyers just in case, but deep down, they know what's happening. Gary's not just passing through. He's home shopping. And it looks like he's already made his choice. With every meal, cuddle, and safe night inside, this once-stray sweetheart is settling into his new life and his new family.

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  • 01
    'As we were re-entering the apartment, he snuck in with us'
    via Crab Lens from Pexels / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    My boyfriend and I moved into a new apartment recently. One evening I was bring groceries in from the car and noticed an adorable young cat hanging around one of my neighbor's trailers. I was able to coax it over
    via j-schauer
  • 03
    and it started rubbing on me and purring. My boyfriend came out to check out the cat and the cat acted the same way. While we were petting the cat, our neighbor walked out of his apartment and said "oh I see
    via j-schauer
  • 04
    you've met the kitten that hangs around here". I asked if he (my neighbor) knew who the cat belongs to and he said "I have no idea, but the cat has been hanging out here as long as I've been living here."
    via j-schauer
  • 05
    I didn't see the cat for a couple of days, but then there he was again wandering around under some cars parked on the street. I called to the cat and he came running over. The boyfriend and I pet and
    via j-schauer
  • 06
    cuddled him and discussed whether he belonged to someone or not. He wasn't super dirty, which leans to he has a home. But he is not neutered, which lends itself to him being a stray. He is also skittish about noises and certain movements. On Facebook I am part of a
    via j-schauer
  • 07
    community "swap" kind of page, so I took some pictures of the cat and posted asking if anyone knew who he belongs to. It has been up for a couple of days and I have had no responses.
    via j-schauer
  • 08
    Winter is coming. It gets very very cold where I live. My boyfriend and I decided that we would make the little screened in entry way to our apartment into a little safe haven for the cat (we have started calling him Gary).
    via j-schauer
  • 09
    We bought some cheap cat food and a wash basin to make a make-shift litter box and a few toys. We got him set up and as we were re-entering the apartment, he snuck in with us. We have kind of integrated into have the cat inside with us, but we leave the door cracked open so he can come and go as he pleases. Which he does!
    via j-schauer
  • 10
    Gary will often leave and then return multiple times throughout the day and evening. At a certain point at night, we will close the door as it gets too cold to keep the door open. If he is outside, he stays outside until he jumps on
    via j-schauer
  • 11
    the window to let us know he wants back in. Or, if he is inside, he curls up and sleeps for the night. When the door is shut, if he goes up to it and meows, I will let him go out. His movements are not restricted with us. He can come and go as he pleases. He always comes back.
    via j-schauer
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    Stray cat eating outside
    via onlyfabrizio / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 13
    Last night he spent the whole night outside. He definitely ate some food from the screened in porch which we leave cracked open for him (So even when the main door to our apartment is closed, he still has access to the food and water). It got really cold
    via j-schauer
  • 14
    last night, so I wanted to make sure that he didn't freeze to death. I went outside and called for him and he came running up. He wasn't as freezing cold as I would expect a cat that spent all night outdoors to be, but that could be easily explained by him
    via j-schauer
  • 15
    finding a warm hole to hide in overnight or him going to his real home. Anyways, he is back inside the apartment playing and hanging out with us free to come and go as he pleases. But he continues to stay. So... did I steal someone's cat?
    via j-schauer
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    Cat coming and going through cat door
    via w-ings / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 17
    Update: Thank you for all of the advice! •Top priority is definitely scanning for a chip. I'm hoping to take him in tomorrow or the next day.
    via j-schauer
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    • If the scan comes back negative, the grocery story in town has a community board where I will post a flyer. • If I do not hear from anyone after about a week, I will get the necessary vaccines and neutering done at the vet and we will transition him into indoor cat living. I am not a big fan of indoor/outdoor cat for ecological reasons.
    via j-schauer
  • 19
    AndrewActually Did you check for a chip? If not, next step.
    via AndrewActually

  • Gotta scan for a chip first, just to be sure he isn’t someone’s lost buddy. It’s always the best first step before fully welcoming a new furry roommate.

  • 20
    Standard_Human_... check for a chip, if there isnt one post signs about a found cat. if nobody responds after a few weeks, its yours!
    via Standard_Human_11037
  • 21
    Suchba And outside cat is a stray I would take him, clean him up get him fixed and keep him inside. Cats are not meant to be outdoor and you're doing him a favor.
    via Suchba

  • If he’s been wandering around outside alone, there’s a good chance he’s a stray. Sounds like he found the right people to give him a warm home and some love.

  • 22
    daffodil0127 Probably not, it sounds like he was dumped since he was so eager to get close to you. If he's not chipped, get one with your name because he's yours now. Take him to the vet and get him
    via daffodil0127
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    neutered asap, and vaccinate him. You might want to consider better food if you can afford it. Congratulations on your new family member! The CDS knows best!
    via daffodil0127
  • 24
    Specialist-Swim8... You didn't steal him. If a cat is outside unsupervised and unneutered with no ID, the owner isn't exactly keeping. close track. You've given him safety, food, warmth, and the option to leave. If someone shows up claiming him, you can have a conversation then. Until that happens, you're doing right by the little dude
    via Specialist-Swim8743

  • Even if he does turn out to have an owner, it’s best to keep him safe, warm, and cared for in the meantime. He clearly knows where the kindness is.

  • 25
    Nefariousness Big8... Get him fixed for one even if he may belong to someone it's an irresponsible act for people not to. Put up a heated house outside if you don't keep him inside. After checking for microchip, it's best to think of the safety of
    via NefariousnessBig8800
  • 26
    the kitty. If he's outside there's always a chance of him getting hurt. 2 weeks is all it takes for adaptation especially after he's experienced his first snowfall. He'll get it then to stay inside. Put a collar with your number. If he has an owner they should call you. However this sounds like the CDS found you a kitty. Keep
    via NefariousnessBig8800

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