'He's a cute cat, but he offers a problem': Cat owner is adopted by a sweet stray, recieves wholesoem advice and support from the online feline family

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Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Dec 25, 2025 3:00 PM EST

Some people don't need to own a cat to prove they're good cat people. Sometimes all it takes is stopping, noticing, and choosing care even when it's inconvenient. We have endless appreciation for humans who do their best for cats despite obstacles - existing pets, health concerns, housing rules, emotional overwhelm, or all of the above at once. Loving cats doesn't always look like opening the door and saying "welcome home". Sometimes it looks like restraint, research, and doing the safest thing, even when your heart is loudly protesting. That kind of care counts just as much.

In this case, the obstacle is a big one: an already beloved resident cat and a clearly unwell newcomer who absolutely did not read the memo about personal boundaries. This stray sweetheart shows up coughing, unneutered, unchipped, but full of confidence - marching toward the door like he's already signed the lease. And yet, even without being allowed inside, he's still fed, sheltered, given water, bedding, and something just as important: care. He's not being ignored or chased off. He's being protected, both from the world and from accidentally hurting another cat. That's real love, even if it's happening from the other side of a door.

And honestly? We're completely obsessed with people like this - and with the online feline family that always rallies around them. Advice, reassurance, shared experiences, emotional backup. It's a global safety net made of cat hair and compassion. A bunch of "crazy cat people" proving, yet again, that when a cat needs help, someone somewhere will step up.

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  • 01
    Hey! He's a cute cat, but he offers a problem. This lil guy has been seen throughout my apartment complex for several months now, but only since yesterday has he decided to try and adopt me by straight up cuddling and attempting to follow me inside.
    via helatonin
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10590057472
    via helatonin
  • 03
    Cheezburger Image 10590058752
    via helatonin

  • You can see the level of trust and comfort this sweet stray has in this picture - not only does he let the hooman pet him, but he closes his eyes completely, which is one of the highest signs of a cat's trust that was won.

    And this is not the only thing - you can clearly see that the cat doesn't mind being “pushed” into a corner. Not that the person is doing it on purpose, of course, but he is sort of limiting the cat's space on the chair, which “pushes” the cat against the back. Now, cats really dislike being “trapped” like that - they like to always have a route of escape. It's part of their nature, of what evolution gave them across the eons. But this cat? He doesn't even mind. This shows us he trusts this person with his life.

    This all makes this NotMyCat situation much sweeter than it would've been - this cat clearly trusts this human 100%, so it's no wonder he's trying to get adopted with all his might.

  • 04
    Problem is, I already have a cat, and this fella (who I have intermittently taken to calling Nemo) has a pretty nasty cough, and also balls.
    via helatonin
  • 05
    No microchip, either, so if he has an owner, it's beyond me. It is painful to stop him from waltzing straight towards my door like he owns the place, but in interest of not introducing my actual cat to whatever illness has him breathing like he does, I can't let him in.
    via helatonin
  • 06
    Cheezburger Image 10590058240
    via helatonin
  • 07
    In lieu of that, I gave him a little habitat to rest in, complete with water, food, and bedding.
    via helatonin
  • 08
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    via helatonin
  • 09
    I'm trying to look into surrounding HS's and TNR facilities, but they all seem booked and the emotional tax of having this darling boy so clearly trying to adopt me has been crazy.
    via helatonin
  • 10
    ANN
    via helatonin
  • 11
    Any advice on what to do is welcome! Yesmycat cat tax included at the end.
    via helatonin
  • 12
    Cheezburger Image 10590059776
    via helatonin
  • 13
    davidwhatshisname52 My advice, since you're asking: Save up some dough and get him taken care of; we have a county facility an hour's drive away with a $25 fee, and a vet 10 minutes in any direction with $75-$150 fee for doing the works... we've TVNR'd an entire colony, at this point, with four now with us inside, another six outside and one more adopted by our neighbor... it's all a giant PITA but it sure beats worrying that we shoulda woulda coulda...
    via davidwhatshisname52
  • 14
    gwaydms Your cat is so sweet and beautiful. Not-your-cat is cute as well. He's had a rough life. His left ear appears to have had a hematoma at some point, probably because of an ear infection/bad ear mites, resulting in a lot of scratching and head shaking. I hope you or someone can help him without causing problems for your cat.
    via gwaydms
  • 15
    Mollytovcocktail1111 Get him seen privately, post a fundraiser and people WILL donate to his vet care. Consulting a vet on what is the best way to proceed here based on what you want to do is a good idea.
    via Mollytovcocktail1111
  • 16
    apokolypz If possible, you could kennel him and keep him in a separate room for the time being. Enough time to get him to a vet and some medicine in his system. This is all if you truly want to take him in! It would be a bit stressful & take some patience but it would be worth it I'm sure! But obviously depends on your money, time, and space.
    via apokolypz
  • 17
    craftandcurmudgeony think i need to go for a walk, because i'm tearing up reading this. such a sweet kitty, and you are a kind soul. it is nice to be reminded that good people still exist in the world. going for that walk.
    via craftandcurmudgeony
  • 18
    Sillylittlepoet If you post your area maybe someone close by can help
    via Sillylittlepoet

  • That's always a good advice when seeking to help a stray cat. You don't have to doxx yourself for it - but giving a general area will help other cat people, who would like nothing more than to help a stray out, get a sense if they can actually do that.

  • 19
    so-anyways- Maybe you're looking for help naming notmycat... Cuz the distribution system is perfect and has obviously given you a perfect boy. Find a rescue and explain the situation, they may have a favorite vet that can get you in quick. We volunteer at a cat sanctuary that has a colony they support as well as a house dedicated to the adoptable ones. And we always seem to slip in a newbie somehow if they've got a guaranteed foster.
    via so-anyways-
  • 20
    misscrankypants You must always fail the test given by the CDS.
    via misscrankypants
  • 21
    Psychological-Try343 I'd say at least get him into a vet to see if he's microchipped and about his cough. His ear and paw look messed up, too. He could be in a lot of pain. Ideally, you'd be willing to get him neutered somewhere, but I know its not your cat or obligation.
    via Psychological-Try343
  • 22
    No_Custard_2223 imho, it's okay if you can't take him in. he could be an outdoor cat if that's okay with you... but.... could you try consulting a vet about his cough? if he's able to stay in the little habitat that you provided and is okay with it, then probably it's possible to nurse him to (better) health.
    via No_Custard_2223

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stray cats wholesome cat adorable kindness cute not my cat cute cats cat person Cats stray
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