'So I stole a cat': Neighbor gets caught stealing outdoor cat from owners who leave them to freeze outside, but they fight for the cat's living conditions, and win

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Mar 31, 2026 9:30 AM EDT

Sometimes, the right thing to do is actually the "wrong" thing.

The thought of stealing literally makes us sweat profusely. We've never even shoplifted anything because we know we would get caught for acting pawsitively suspicious. But, if we ever were faced with the option of letting a cat freeze and drink dirty water outside, or steal them from their "owners" and take them into our house, we wouldn't hesitate for a second.

After finding their neighbor's cat drinking from a dirty puddle outside, our hero below snuck over and took them inside. The cat seemed to really enjoy it, and the owners didn't even realize that their cat was gone. That was, until the cat needed to go to the vet, where they confessed to the vet that this was someone else's cat. The owners were notified, pawsitively furious, and threatened to call the police.

Lucky for them, they were all bark and no bite. A few weeks later, they claimed they found the cat as a stray, waited the appropriate time for it to be considered legally lost, and then adopted it for themselves. They never heard anything from the so-called "owners", no police showed up at their doorstep, they just ended up with a friendly cat companion to snuggle by their side.

We don't condone stealing, but this is a purrfect example of when you have to do the "wrong" thing to actually do the right thing. Is this how Batman feels every time he stops a crime?

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  • 01
    'I have heard nothing from the people that claim to own her'
    via Gundula Vogel from Pexels

    Stray Cat Feeding on Cobblestone Alley

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

  • 02
    My neighbors moved here in the summer and have been leaving their cat outside.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 03
    I don't like this but the cat was okay. Cut to now (December) and it was below freezing and the cat was still outside.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10619586048
    via Gizen Gökce from Pexels

    Calico Cat Sitting by a Wintry Window

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

  • 05
    I caught it drinking out of a dirty puddle. Long story short I scooped the cat but am worried because I know which neighbors it is and I had previously asked them if it was their cat.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 06
    They don't that I'm their nexdoor neighbor though because I left a note on their door with instructions to text me.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 07
    I am still worried because what if they come after me or what if they really liked the cat.
    via I-Am-Neato

  • If they really liked the cat, they would keep them safe by moving them indoors, purrmanently. Sure, cats like to go outside, just like kids love ice cream. But, we don't let kids have access to ice cream 24 hours a day, or even 12. We know what's best for them because we're older and wiser. The same goes for cats.

  • 08
    What if it's chipped and the humane society calls the owners. I just want this buddy to be safe.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 09
    UPDATE: For those who are still tuned in, I text the owners the following morning. I still haven't heard anything so me and and my cat buddy are chilling.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 10
    Cheezburger Image 10619586304
    via Alena Ozerova

    Girl with Cat Relaxing on a Sofa

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

  • 11
    It actually laid with me on the couch last night and my heart melted. I would show if I knew how to upload images UPDATE 2: I still haven't heard from the owners.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 12
    It's really tough. Their next door neighbor claims that they've never seen it get taken inside, but it's friendly enough where I'm not so sure.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 13
    On one hand I don't want this buddy to di, but on the other hand I don't wanna take someone's pet from them.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 14
    Update Jan 2, 2024 (15 days later) Some of you remember I took my neighbors cat in out of the cold and was debating what I should do.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 15
    There have been developments. The next morning I texted them and told them I took their cat in out of the cold.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 16
    I did not receive a response for 5 days. Cut to Christmas Eve Cat throws up a lot and threw up the day before.
    via I-Am-Neato

  • No response, after hearing that your cat has been missing for five days in someone else's house? We would have jumped at the information to know where our cat was, because we can't even imagine going 12 hours without seeing our cat. If they didn't contact them for 5+ days, they didn't really care about the cat in the first place.

  • 17
    see some pink in its throw up and realize I have to take it to the emergency vet.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 18
    I am stressed and let it slip it's not my cat. I then have to eat crow and ask the owners permission to treat the cat and I'll pay for it.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 19
    They get mad. I cry. Cats fine and probably isn't adjusting well to new (real) food.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 20
    I return the cat under their request. Preserving every aspect of my identity in the process.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 21
    Another week goes by. I get told by my other neighbor 2 things. 1: they left it on their non- climate controlled patio the entire time.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 22
    Luckily it was high 40° F for the week. 2: The first day it's below freezing (NYE) they let it back out in the cold.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 23
    I get word from my neighbor that the cat sounds like it's in heat and 3 cats are having a mating party under her deck.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 24
    I went back out there with my carrier and she ran right up to me and I picked her up and put her in the cage.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 25
    She's now back in my house. I gave them a shot, but otherwise our neighborhood will be overrun with cats out in the freezing cold.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 26
    Here we are again huh. So I followed all the rules of where I live and submitted a report to Animal Control that I found a stray.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 27
    The proper amount of time lapsed and no word from the "owners" so by all accounts that makes me the owner according to Animal Control.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 28
    In fact, the cat was on the online bulletin board 3x the amount of time it was supposed to be, and still nothing.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 29
    Cut to today, found out the cat is pregnant. Likely will get a pregnant spay as there is no where to rehome the kittens and I cannot provide support to my cat during this process as I have a trip coming up.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 30
    2 days ago the "owners" threatened to call the cops and they discovered my name somehow so I am no longer anonymous.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 31
    I will not communicate with them. Let the cops come. I have followed proper procedure and at this point I think the previous "owners" just found a stray they liked and was feeding it.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 32
    That's not ownership. Still nervous about it though. No matter how confident you feel before, when the cops come knocking its never pleasant.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 33
    I'll let you know how that goes if it wasn't an empty threat. Final Update Feb 13, 2024 (22 days after 2nd update) Hello for the last time.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 34
    I got Tot a pregnant spay as I got some good guidance from my loved ones.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 35
    Tot came home with me and wore her silly little shirt for two weeks so she wouldn't pick as her stitches.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 36
    In that two weeks she discovered under the cover and likes to sleep there with me.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 37
    She got her shirt off and can roam free now. I have heard nothing from the people that claim to own her since they threatened me with the cops.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 38
    At this point I think we're in the clear and I just have a new cat.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 39
    She's very sweet and we are best friends. Eventually I think I may leash train her and take her on walks around her former domain.
    via I-Am-Neato

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stray cats caught outdoor cat neighbors stealing living conditions cat rescue freeze Cats animals
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