Delivery driver fired for “allegedly” stealing customer’s cat after being caught on doorbell camera, says he thought it was a stray: ‘I don’t believe his story’

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jan 23, 2026 1:00 PM EST

As if we needed one more reason to tell you to keep your cats inside.

Just when you thought you knew all the potential dangers for outdoor cats, another one pops up where you least expect it. On top of coyotes, cars, dogs, harsh weather, and lack of available food and water, we now have to add delivery drivers to the list. A few weeks ago in California, one cat owner became outraged with a popular delivery service after her cat went missing. After reviewing her doorbell camera footage, she found footage of the delivery driver clearly taking her cat with him after delivering her package.

After weeks of calling the police and the delivery service, the driver finally stepped forward. He admitted to taking the cat, although he said that he thought the cat was a stray. He also said that the cat later escaped his van and ran away, so although he admitted to it, the cat pawrent is still left without her fluffy feline at home. Unfortunately, they still haven't found their cat, 'Piper', yet.

Who knows if what the driver is saying is true, but all we can say is that this is another reason for you all to keep your cats inside. We know how fulfilling it must be for them, but it's simply not safe out there. You just never know what can happen when you're not paying attention. Let Piper's story be a lesson for us all.

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  • 01

    Pet owner pleads for public's help after Amazon driver seen taking cat

    0 2 12/11/2025
    via Diane Huff Medina / Facebook
  • 02
    BOSSCO I truly hope the pet is returned and the cruel thief prosecuted.
    via B0ssc0
  • 03
    dorkofthepolisci I really hope this is just someone who made a mistake and thought kitty was a stray, but the longer this goes on without the driver coming forward, the less likely that seems
    via dorkofthepolisci

  • We've heard stories of cats coming back home months, even years, later. In fact, we recently read about a story of a pawrent who found their fluffy feline 13 years after they escaped. So, if it can happen for them, it can still happen for Piper. It's rare, but it's pawssible. And as long as it's pawssible, there's reason for us to have hope.

  • 04
    cat-biscuit-bread This is another reason why you should never let your cats outside! Afraid to know what his motives were
    via cat-biscuit-bread
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10598938880
    via Diane Huff Medina / Facebook
  • 06
    TusklnltsEntirety Ooof he carried her off by the neck. I don't think he's taking her off to a pampered life CDS style. that cat is ok.
    via TusklnltsEntirety
  • 07
    Porkbossam 78 can't reach the driver? Shouldn't they know where they live? Hopefully the cat owner can get access to the name and out the person. I don't approve of letting inside cats outside but it's done a lot in California bc of the mild weather
    via Porkbossam78
  • 08
    Pretend-Yesterday-24 This would be my villain origin story.
    via Pretend-Yesterday-24
  • 09
    JournalistFriendly47 They found the driver and he said the cat ran out of his van. He said he thought she was a stray. He was fired from but no charges were brought against him. I don't believe his story.
    via JournalistFriendly47

  • Based on the description of the way he held the cat, we also don't believe him. But whether we believe him or not doesn't. matter, the fact is he took a cat that wasn't his and now someone else has to pay the price for it. If you're not going to keep your cats inside, then at the very least put an Airtag or collar on them so people can identify them as yours. This one simple thing can make all the difference.

  • 10
    Cheezburger Image 10598939136
    via Diane Huff Medina / Facebook
  • 11
    tacticalcop one of the countless reasons you KEEP YOUR CAT INDOORS. i only feel sorry for the cat. poor baby.
    via tacticalcop
  • 12
    CynicalNextDoor That's why you don't let pets outside unsupervised
    via CynicalNextDoor
  • 13
    Squeaky_Lizard I hope the thief gets convicted. Really hope the kitty is ok :<
    via Squeaky_Lizard
  • 14
    National-Cranberry42 He apologizes but won't return the cat. Doxx him and I Bet he will
    via National-Cranberry42
  • 15
    silly scoundrel From the article I read the man talked to police and admitted to taking the cat, and explained that the cat later got away from his vehicle by jumping. He thought it was a stray. Nice job asshole, that cats probably gone forever now.
    via silly_scoundrel
  • 16
    Ok-Secret-2588 Really? This is terribly disappointing. That poor family of Piper. Just awful. From local ABC news outlet 8 hrs ago:
    via Ok-Secret-2588
  • 17
    "She has also filed a report with the Lakewood Sheriff's Station, but was told it could be weeks -- or even months before someone can -- - work on her case."
    via Ok-Secret-2588
  • 18
    Relative-Radio-5918 I think the owner should post a reward.
    via Relative-Radio-5918

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Tags

stray cats outdoor cat doorbell stealing customers cat owners delivery animals
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