Neighbor left his feline family member behind when he moved, next-door couple decides their own moving plans just got a lot more crowded: 'Now I just have to drive her across half the country to our new home.'

Author image for Ayala Sorotsky
Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Apr 25, 2026 6:15 AM EDT

Adopting a cat means you have full responsibility for them for the rest of their nine lives, with no opportunities to opt out on demand. It's sad to us that some people don't seem to understand that.

It's true that there are some reasons in this world for cat pawrents to give up, with all the sadness of the situation, and search for their cat a different home than theirs. These decisions are never made lightly, they involve a heart heavy like a ton of bricks, and probably a lot of tears, fears, but most of all - thoughts about the cat's well-being. Not a single person who needs to rehome a cat for a justified reason, like being evicted and not having a home for your cat, does this for their own benefit. Never ever.

Moving away is never a good reason to rehome your cat. If you have the time, money, and energy to move your entire life away in a truck, you don't get to simply go "but without my cat" in the situation. Moving away without your cat is vile. Period. Is it complicated to do so? Sure. But would you do this to a child? Absolutely not. So why is a cat any exception? We have a friend who moved countries, literally to another continent, and he made sure his wife and he are taking all four of their feline family members with them. Because that's what they are - family members.

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    This is Oatmeal. Her owner moved away without her.
    via Pale-Tangerine-6317

  • This is why we'll never understand people like this neighbor, who simply left their cat behind. A person who does this, without making sure that their cat is going to a loving home, is a person who really shows they don't care about the cat. At least not as a cat pawrent should care. If you adopt a cat into your life, into your home, you're a parent, essentially. You don't just get to decide “I don't want to do this anymore”. This is not a valid decision over a living, breathing, feeling creature, who's your responsibility. You just don't get to have that option.

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    Cheezburger Image 10625664256
    via Pale-Tangerine-6317
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    We contacted the number on her tag when she first showed up about two years ago,
    via Pale-Tangerine-6317
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    and he said he gave her away before he moved, but nobody ever bothered changing the tag or registering her chip.
    via Pale-Tangerine-6317
  • 05
    He just kept her shelter name, which was extremely unfitting and clunky.
    via Pale-Tangerine-6317
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    Cheezburger Image 10625665024
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    Finally got her to the vet and she was the politest little lady about it. Clean bill of health and got all her shots.
    via Pale-Tangerine-6317
  • 08
    Now I just have to drive her across half the country to our new home. Wish me luck!
    via Pale-Tangerine-6317

  • With all that being said, the bottom line is that we're so glad the cat found her forever home - despite the rocky beginning, despite the abandonment, despite the long journey ahead. What matters is that she's got her happy ending, in a home, with people who love her.

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    Cheezburger Image 10625663744
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  • 10
    Gammagammahey People who leave their pets behind when they move are the absolute scum of the earth.
    via Gammagammahey
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    Is she going off to a responsible home? Thank you so much for saving her. Thank you thank you thank you.
    via Gammagammahey
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    Pale-Tangerine-6317 OP She's joining me and my fiance's household. He's at the house now. It's a bit far, but I am adamant about keeping her.
    via Pale-Tangerine-6317
  • 13
    Gammagammahey Thank you for bringing her into your life. Please show us more pictures of her when she acclimates, show us her personality and her favorite toys and all of that. What a sweet thing you are doing, thank you.
    via Gammagammahey
  • 14
    Pale-Tangerine-6317 OP Right now, it's the tiger from the photoset. It was my family dog's, and she brought it to her bed. She doesn't 'play' with it, it just comforts her.
    via Pale-Tangerine-6317
  • 15
    She's also stolen a few nerf balls from some neighborhood kid. I keep finding them chewed up in the yard. I've tried feather toys and mechanical toys and the only ones she really seems to like are the catnip fish.
    via Pale-Tangerine-6317
  • 16
    We play our own game of chase where I'll run from one end of the house to the other and she chases me and tries to find where I'm hiding before I pop out and run again.
    via Pale-Tangerine-6317
  • 17
    Chuckitybye I had a neighbor do a two-fer. Stole a cat, then left her when they moved.
    via Chuckitybye
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    We took her in, she was chipped. We called the number on the chip and found her actual adopter. Poor kid (early 20s) was ecstatic to get her back. Cried and asked if he could hug me
    via Chuckitybye
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    thephantomcatalyst Wait whaaat that's crazy! Good on you for checking and giving kitty back to the adopter. Hugs to you!
    via thephantomcatalyst
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    ijustwanttoaskaq123 So glad that the cat distribution system decided to grace you with her presence. A love that was meant to be <3
    via ijustwanttoaskaq123
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    Pale-Tangerine-6317 OP A few months before she showed up, I had a dream where I was sitting on the roof of a building with a tabby cat, watching the sunset. Maybe a bit of a stretch, but I'm a little convinced that was the universe trying to tell me something. We watch sunsets all of the time, now.
    via Pale-Tangerine-6317
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    Anz_Soulcrusher Well it's your gain, you're so lucky
    via Anz_Soulcrusher
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    Pale-Tangerine-6317 OP I agree! I was a dog person for 30 years, and then I met her and she changed my mind so quickly. She was a blessing I didn't know I needed <3
    via Pale-Tangerine-6317
  • 24
    the-painted-lady I was not a cat person until I got mine...and I just happened to adopt him a week before my dad unexpectedly passed. My boy got me through some tough days, cats really are amazing! Thank you for loving this cutie! :)
    via the-painted-lady
  • 25
    jackmc2001 Thank you for being a good human! Not like the previous A-he.
    via jackmc2001
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    Pale-Tangerine-6317 OP From what I recall, he was a military dude who had to relocate. He did claim that he tried to rehome her, so I'll take his word for it and not entirely blame him, but it seems selfish to me to adopt an animal that you know you can't keep.
    via Pale-Tangerine-6317
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    kittybigs I had one of those, her name was Peanut Butter and I'm so glad they left her. We were best friends for 12 years, I had to say goodbye last august. I hope this is just the beginning of a beautiful story with Oatmeal.
    via kittybigs
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    Critical-Egg-3684 I can't believe someone would abandon their fur baby. I understand if you have to move and can't take your Kitty with you but find them a loving home, don't toss them out like trash.
    via Critical-Egg-3684

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wholesome cat neighbors adoption heartwarming abandoned cat adoption adopted happy ending Cats
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