Couple gets adopted by the neighbor's cat, and the neighbors, instead of getting angry, open a line of communication with the couple and allow the kitty to have a vacation home: 'We exchanged phone numbers'

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Feb 2, 2026 10:00 AM EST

Sometimes, neighbors can actually be kind of pawsome. 

We're mentioning this because we are not used to this. Nearly every story that we have come across online that involves neighbors and cats is somehow a negative one. Neighbors stealing people's cats, not even attempting to look for their owners and acting innocent when the owners find them and ask for the cats back. Neighbors mistreating their cats and either not knowing it or not caring. Neighbors fully abandoning their cats, not caring about what will happen to them. 

This usually happens with cats who are given access to the outside. Otherwise, they most likely wouldn't come across the neighbors in the first place. And of course, there is whole debate about outdoor cats, but if you decide to have them, then this is the way that it should be. If your cat comes to your neighbors, you should be in contact with them, not fight them. Be nice to people, and they will be nice to you. The first thing and only thing that matters is the health and well-being of your cat, and if your outdoor cat wants to spend a little time with your neighbors, then you should make sure that those neighbors are good people and then let your cat do what it does. 

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    "We've been adopted"

    SP JustCHOICE BLACK JACK FRENCH 181187 1.5 (38) LEG First Cafe PREMIUM COFFEE
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    BONS
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    This is Bagel, our neighbor's cat. She likes playing with string and making biscuits. Definitely did NOT buy her a mini cat tree, food/water bowl or crochet her a small blanket for kitty naps.
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  • This story… honestly made us happy. Because we thought that it would go in a completely different direction at first. It's so much more common to find negative stories about people being adopted by neighbors' cats. The neighbors are angry, there are fights, and the cats are always, always, always in the middle. This is what we like seeing. If you let your cat roam outside, then you should know that there is a risk that your cat will find a vacation home to be in during its spare time, and you should be okay with that. We appreciate them for this, we really do. 

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    NTropyS Is the neighbor OK with this? 'Cause Bagel looks very, very happy. Too cute!
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    No_Berry7639 OP We exchanged phone numbers so we have an open line of communication regarding her whereabouts they even had us cat-sit and watch their apartment while they were gone for the holidays! O
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    sritanona I had to stop my neighbour's cat from coming into my house because I didn't want to steal them (and also I have small pets the cat would want to eat) but it's always a struggle
    via sritanona
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    No_Berry7639 OP I've always been a bird owner (parakeets), and my main boy Smudge passed away the morning that my boyfriend and I were supposed to move into this new apartment (last August). I like to think that Bagel sensed a void in my heart and was like "HEY! you're my slave now. Entertain and feed me. But also I love you". Or, it's just the good ol' cat distribution system at work But it's a good thing there's no birds here...one of her favorite activities is hunting them in the courtyard
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    Equivalent Mechanic5 Ahh!! This is great!!! My Buddha used to go to the neighbors place. We lived in a small gated complex with a big lawn in the middle so most of us would leave our windows open. She would jump into his window and sleep in his bed. It became a thing when I came home from work and couldn't find her I'd just walk across the lawn and tap on his window and she'd jump out! He was totally fine with it. Good times
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    No_Berry7639 OP Omg this sounds exactly like our situation! Our neighbor's leave their window open so both of their cats get to come and go as they please, its awesome. We have a lawn too and it's so fun to watch them "hunt" birds →
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    MrFizzbin7 Feeding schedules coordinated too? Otherwise Bagel is going to become Doughnut...
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    No_Berry7639 OP When she visits, I give her a VERY small handful of food once or twice a day (if at all) because I know this girl has food at home ②we don't want her to become an absolute unit
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  • Communication, putting the cat's health and happiness first, wanting to make sure that the cat is living its best life even as it walks around the world… yes, this is the kind of outdoor cat ownership that we like. Really, it seems like the cat has earned a second family. And considering the fact that a second family for the cat means a couple extra snacks here and there, a whole bunch more cuddles and a bunch of new and fluffy blankets to enjoy, we are sure that the kitty is just as happy with this arrangement as everyone else. 

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    Velcro-hotdog She is beautiful and very lucky to have a second home that loves her heaps.
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    No_Berry7639 OP Thank you! We are very lucky to have her as well, her visits always brighten our day
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    slygal17 This is so sweet! You're like her auntie
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    No_Berry7639 OP We're so honored to have the cat distribution system bless us with her ③H except when she tears up the couch....that's the big "no thank you, you're going outside"
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    Lunar-opal Congrats! Nice little panther
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    No_Berry7639 OP Thank you! Part time-biscuit maker, part-time bird hunter
    via No_Berry7639

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aww wholesome cat adorable adoption heartwarming cute adopted story Cats rescue
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