'I've been called a cat thief': Woman finds "stray" cat in need and takes it to vet despite it having an owner, she gets flack but internet supports her rescue mission

Author image for Briana Viser
Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Nov 9, 2025 6:00 PM EST

What would you do if you found a cat on the street? You're wandering, minding your own business, when suddenly you hear distant meows and a vile small emitting from some bushes. Lo and behold, a cute but neglected kitty is staring up at you with desperate eyes. You can tell the cat hasn't eaten or showered in days, so what do you do?

This conundrum is exactly the situation the protagonist found herself in in the story below. She found a stray in her neighborhood, or at least she thought it was a stray. She urgently brought the cat to the vet, where she was cleaned and fed. The vet validated her worries that the cat needed urgent attention, and informed her that if no one comes within a week to get the kitty, then she's all hers. The wholesome hooman makes a post on Facebook about the stray, when she's met with unprecedented flack about "stealing a cat." Turns out this neglected kitty actually has an owner!

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  • 01

    Am I wrong for unknowingly taking someone old and sick cat?

    Skinny cat in vet
    via annastills / Canva

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

  • 02
    So, yesterday I saw a seemingly stray cat. It was EXTREMELY thin and dirty and smelled of poop. I without hesitation took it home
    via u/Plus-Ad9974
  • 03
    to give it food, and then called rspca who referred me to take it to the vet. The vet said that the
    via u/Plus-Ad9974
  • 04
    cat has clearly not eaten in a while but not much more. They said that they'll keep it for a week,
    via u/Plus-Ad9974
  • 05
    and if no one calls to ask about it and collects it after that time, I can take it home. So I made a post on facebook looking for the
    via u/Plus-Ad9974
  • 06
    owner. Turns out, everyone in the area knows the owner, and the cat is 17 years old. I've been
    via u/Plus-Ad9974
  • 07
    called a cat thief and even threatened, as someone wanted to call the police on me for „stealing" a cat (which I obviously
    via u/Plus-Ad9974
  • 08
    not wanted to steal. I've messaged a lady who knows the owner the number to the vets, and the case number from rspca.
    via u/Plus-Ad9974
  • 09
    She'll pass this on to the owners and they'll likely collect the cat from the vets. I am tho worried about the cats condition, as I
    via u/Plus-Ad9974
  • 10
    called the vet this morning but they said they can't tell me any more information and that the owner needs to call. The vet was
    via u/Plus-Ad9974
  • 11
    Stray cats
    via pavlovakhrushev / Canva

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

  • 12
    very rude and implying that I've done the wrong thing even though i was looking out for the cat. Mind you this was a different
    via u/Plus-Ad9974
  • 13
    vet then the one i met yesterday. The vet from yesterday seemed very concerned and told me that I've done the right thing.
    via u/Plus-Ad9974
  • 14
    Everyone in the facebook comments said that it's well taken care of, but this was not a well taken care of cat. So, am I the asshole?
    via u/Plus-Ad9974
  • 15
    _Hallaloth_ Nope. If any of mine ever even got out I would HOPE someone catches them and checks for a chip.
    via u/_Hallaloth_
  • 16
    You saw a creature in need and did what you could to help it.
    via u/_Hallaloth_
  • 17
    AmaranthCambion My 17 year old cat was so very thin because of illness before he passed. We did
    via u/AmaranthCambion
  • 18
    Old woman
    via Rido / Canva

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

  • 19
    everything to keep weight on him. If someone would have found him in that state
    via u/AmaranthCambion
  • 20
    they would have assumed we didn't feed him. That said, outside is no place for a senior.
    via u/AmaranthCambion
  • 21
    Spikyleaf69 NTA - I kidnapped someone's cat once, it was tiny & skinny with patches
    via u/Spikyleaf69
  • 22
    of fur missing. I thought it was a starving kitten, took it home & posted it on Facebook.
    via u/Spikyleaf69
  • 23
    Turns out it was an elderly cat with hypothyroidism and an illness causing the bald patches. I felt so guilty but
    via u/Spikyleaf69
  • 24
    the owner actually bought me flowers and thanked me for looking out for her cat.
    via u/Spikyleaf69
  • 25
    You did nothing wrong & any decent owner would understand.
    via u/Spikyleaf69

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