Man adopts a unique Bengal kitten for his girlfriend, but "she didn't like the cat", so they abandon the cat at a shelter without notice after 2 months with her, but luckily, a kind employee turns their loss into her gain

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Jan 7, 2026 10:00 AM EST

Gifting cats to people is nearly always a bad idea. 

We get it if it's a parent adopting a cat for their kid - because if the kid ends up not wanting to take care of it, then the parents know they have to be the ones to pick up the slack. We get it if it is something that has been discussed before - if someone tells you that they want a cat and are ready and are just waiting to find the right one. But in any other situation, it is most likely a bad idea. Gifting a cat to someone is not like giving them a book or a T-shirt as a present. It is a lifelong responsibility that they have to be ready to take, and usually, when people are ready for that, they go and adopt the cat themselves. They don't wait for it to be gifted to them.

Gifting a cat to your girlfriend or boyfriend is nearly always a bad idea. A wife or husband, sure, then it's a similar situation to the kids, when if one doesn't pick up the slack, the other one will. But someone you are dating… it is a disaster waiting to happen. And it's not going to be a disaster to them. It's going to be one for the cat, who, like the Bengal in this story, is going to be returned to the shelter.

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    "Could you believe she was abandoned? She's mine now! Meet Hera!"

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    I worked in an Adoption & Boarding center for Cats. Hera was dropped off by her owners for a last minute "boarding" but fled without making payment. They later dropped off her items and certifications with us with the reason of "I got her for my Wife/GF but she didn't like the cat". They had her for 2 months and she was 6 months. I adopted her and she turning 2 soon! :) AMA!
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    AdGold205 We got our girl at less than 7 weeks because the guy who bought her thought she was too rambunctious. We've had her for 7 years now. (We eventually got another cat (not a bengal) from the same guy when he found himself in legal trouble and couldn't care for her.
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    Eggybruead OP What did he expect? They are bengals! Hera was found unplugging her fountain and tearing things apart too! But now that shes turning 2 she becoming a lot more mellow ② Glad your 2 cats got the home they deserve.
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  • We always tell people to not buy pets for people as gifts, not unless you are one hundred percent sure that they actually want the pet. A cat is a huge responsibility. It's not a gift that you get and forget about two minutes later. We are talking about years and years of commitment - which includes not only their time and their love but also their resources. We don't know if this man legitimately thought he was getting the right kind of gift for his girlfriend/wife, but he didn't, and him having to return the cat is incredibly upsetting to read about. 

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    ぺこり
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    blabla_blablabla Wow how can one not like cats, especially one that looks like that. Pure beauty. You got lucky and so did the cat!
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    Commercial_Praline55 My current bengal was about to be abandoned to a shelter. A friend of mine send me the picture and I inmediately said bring it to me. The previous owner didn't care and gave me the cat like a disposable item. The poor was terrified in the car. Now she is a happy 8 years old Princess
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  • Bengal cats are especially terrible to give as gifts. They are not your common, timid house cat that only becomes chaotic and silly every once in a while. Bengal cats are known for their energy, for their curiosity, for their shenanigans. Getting a Bengal cat means work - it means making sure that the cat is stimulated enough throughout the day to not cause problems. It means truly being attentive to the cat's needs rather than just letting it live in the house without care. If you are getting a cat for someone as a gift, a Bengal should not be the one you go for. 

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    Coca_lite You both hit the jackpot! Why on earth do people buy a cat without checking if their partners wants / likes it?
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    craiggy36 Our bengal came into our lives in a similar way. She was a stray who had wandered into a motel. The staff at the motel had been taking care of her, but guests occasionally complained about her loud meowing. They were about to take her to the ASPCA, so my wife offered to take her in.
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    She was chipped, but the people attached to the chip never responded, after numerous attempts. So....she's our baby now! It's been 3 1/2 years now!
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bengal aww wholesome cat adorable adoption heartwarming cute adopted story Cats rescue
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