Neglected cat left to freeze outside by forgetful family over Christmas saved and adopted by cat loving neighbor who couldn’t let her suffer through winter temps alone, rescuer says: At this point I think we're in the clear and I just have a new cat.

Sometimes you have to survive the neglect of others in order to be seen by the right person and given the life you deserve.

At least that is the case for this story of cat abandonment and subsequent adoption from Reddit's r/Pets subreddit. Though it is a style of story that we often come across in the cat rescue space. Usually, these tales are a result of a family not being comfortable with having their cat in the house, so the cat is forced to live outside. However, with the cat obviously wanting to be an indoor cat, they usually hang around close to their home, seeking out opportunities to get inside to the place that they are meant to be.

And that is very much what happened in this story, with the added pressure of it being terribly cold around the holiday season. Thankfully though there was a cat loving hooman living nearby who saw the situation unfold and as soon as they deemed it necessary, they stepped in to save the day. And save it and the cat's life they sure did. 
 

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  • 01
    "The cat is really enjoying being a house cat."
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 02
    My neighbors moved here in the summer and have been leaving their cat outside. 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. I caught it drinking out of a dirty puddle. Long story short I scooped the cat but am worried because |
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 03
    know which neighbors it is and I had previously asked them if it was their cat. They don't that I'm their nexdoor neighbor though because I left a note on their door with instructions to text me. I am still worried because what if they come after me or what if they really liked the cat. What if it's chipped and the humane
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 04
    society calls the owners. I just want this buddy to be safe. 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. It actually laid with me on the couch last night and my heart melted. I would show if I
    via I-Am-Neato

  • Yeah, it sounds as though they likely did not have too much attachment to the cat. It is very much unlike a cat lover to force a feline to live the outdoor life. Sure, there are some cats who would rather kiss a dog than live solely indoors, but even they enjoy a bit of warm cuddle time in the safety of their home from time to time. So it is safe to say that this cat lover had little to worry about with regards to the cat’s pawrents kicking up a fuss. And thank goodness she picked up this catto before they succumbed to the cold. Fluffy as they might be, cats still need some heat source to maintain a comfortable temperature in the winter. 
     

  • 05
    knew how to upload images UPDATE 2: I still haven't heard from the owners. The cat is really enjoying being a house cat. Here's my little buddy. Tax
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 06
    Some of you remember I took my neighbors cat in out of the cold and was debating what I should do. There have been developments. The next morning I texted them and told them I took their cat in out of the cold. I did not receive
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 07
    a response for 5 days. Cut to Christmas Eve Cat throws up a lot and threw up the day before. I see some pink in its throw up and realize I have to take it to the emergency vet. I am stressed and let it slip it's not my cat. I then have to eat crow and
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10633585920
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  • 09
    ask the owners permission to treat the cat and I'll pay for it. They get mad. I cry. Cats fine and probably isn't adjusting well to new (real) food. I return the cat under their request. Preserving every aspect of my identity in the process.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 10
    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. 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. I get
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 11
    word from my neighbor that the cat sounds like it's in heat and 3 cats are having a mating party under her deck. 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. She's now back in my house.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 12
    Too Hot
    via I-Am-Neato

  • Aww, what a happy reunion. It was looking a little hairy there for a moment, as though all this brave and loving person’s efforts were about to be thrown to the wind by this uncaring family. But as fate would have it, or the Cat Distribution System, this kitty was not going to be left without love, warmth and cuddles. And now that they have clearly chosen the hooman they want to be with, we imagine that the rest of their days will be spent being doted on, being given all the treats and in general experiencing the devotion that this cat deserved all along. 
     

  • 13
    I gave them a sht, but otherwise our neighborhood will be overrun with cats out in the freezing cold.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 14
    Hello there folks. 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. 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. In fact,
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 15
    Cheezburger Image 10633585664
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  • 16
    the cat was on the online bulletin board 3x the amount of time it was supposed to be, and still nothing. 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
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 17
    my cat during this process as I have a trip coming up. 2 days ago the "owners" threatened to call the cops and they discovered my name somehow so I am no longer anonymous. I will not communicate with them. Let the cops come. I have followed
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 18
    proper procedure and at this point I think the previous "owners" just found a stray they liked and was feeding it. That's not ownership. Still nervous about it though. No matter how confident you feel before, when the cops come knocking its never pleasant. I'll let you know how that goes if it wasn't an empty threat.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 19
    Cheezburger Image 10633585152
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  • 20
    Hello for the last time. I got Tot a pregnant spay as I got some good guidance from my loved ones. Tot came home with me and wore her silly. little shirt for two weeks so she wouldn't pick as her stitches. In that two weeks she discovered under the
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 21
    cover and likes to sleep there with me. 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. At this point I think we're in the clear and I just have a new cat. She's very sweet and we are best friends.
    via I-Am-Neato
  • 22
    Eventually I think I may leash train her and take her on walks around her former domain. Thank y'all for following, have an excellent day, you may now close your tab. FIN
    via I-Am-Neato

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suffering christmas cat neighbors reddit story saved outside forgetful adopted cat story neglect family winter freeze rescue cat lovers
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