'I'm not giving them the option to take them back this time': Kind neighbor's take in desperate stray cat when neglectful owners won't do their part, neighbor's build her a warm cat home

Author image for Briana Viser
Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Dec 18, 2025 6:00 PM EST

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and sometimes that means taking in your neighbor's cat instead of letting her stay cold. In the story here, the protagonist has seen her neighbor's "cat" come around to their home for the last 2 years. This poor cat has gotten pregnant several times, and the owners don't do anything. The protagonist has tried everything – to approach the neighbor, to take the cat herself. She claims that the little boy who lives there says his mom doesn't like when the cats are inside because they go to the bathroom everywhere. It's not a good excuse. It's their cat, they should train their cat to go to the bathroom in the litter box. Besides, the cat is probably going to the bathroom everywhere because she's starved for attention!

A cat acting up means that they need attention, not a punishment. When the neighbors try to take the cat, the real owners get upset and tell them they are stealing their cat. The neighbors let the cat go, but of course, the cat just shows up again and again to their home. They already have pets, and aren't prepared to have more, but they do what they can to help. 

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  • 01

    Neglected neighbor cat keeps bringing kittens to our house.

    Pregnant stray cat
    via OljaSimovic / Canva

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

  • 02
    So our direct neighbors have "pets." As in they keep their cats outside to do as they please, never take them to the vet, etc.
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 03
    They have financial problems, but still, no excuse IMHO; if they can't handle pets they shouldn't have any. There's a female Balinese
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 04
    that has been coming to our house from there for about 2 years. She's constantly at our door. I felt bad for her and we fed
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 05
    her, gave her water, and brought her in the house occasionally.
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 06
    She's been pregnant and had kittens a couple times now over the past year, right in front of our house. The last time this
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 07
    Couple with cat
    via Vlada Karpovich from Pexels / Canva

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

  • 08
    happened was last winter. I offered to take them all to the vet and get them checked out, and suddenly the cat was "important
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 09
    to them" and she claimed we "stole" their cat. After more accusations and her threatening to call the cops on us, I blocked
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 10
    the neighbor and no longer speak with her. I had my daughter take
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 11
    the cat and her kittens back to the neighbor, and I thought that was the end of it.
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 12
    A few months go by, and eventually she shows up again, pregnant. She had another litter
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 13
    of kittens about a month ago, while we were on vacation, behind some of our plants. I took
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 14
    her and the kittens to the neighbor again, and they brought them inside.
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 15
    About a week ago she came back again, with the 3-week-old kittens in tow. They've been in front of my garage for over a week now,
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 16
    and it's getting very cold. I put an insulated cat house out for them, and we bring them in our house occasionally for food, water, and
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 17
    to warm up. The neighbors have not come over to retrieve them, or even asked about them once. I saw their son outside and told
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 18
    him their cats and kittens are outside my house, and he said "my mom doesn't want the kittens inside because they poop everywhere."
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 19
    I don't want more cats, we already have our own indoor cat who is very territorial. I'm not giving them the option to take
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 20
    them back this time, I think what they're doing is very cruel. This situation is infuriating though.
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 21
    What do you all suggest? I'm thinking to either call animal services or find good homes for them.
    via u/bravosierrapolitics
  • 22
    Munchkinadoc • 15h ago Call animal services to rehome them or at least see if they can get the mom spayed so she won't have any more kittens
    via u/Munchkinadoc

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