CDS delivers an old, injured, hungry orange cat to human who's eager to help him, but 5 months later, his original owners notice that their cat went missing, demand him back, and post on social media, slandering the person who saved "their" cat's life

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Jun 8, 2026 10:15 AM EDT

If it took you five months to notice that your cat was missing and do something about it, were you ever really the cat's owner?

We think that every cat owner in the world can agree that their cat running away is one of their worst fears. We know what our cats are like. We know how spoiled our cats are, how dependent our cats are on our love and care, even if our cats would deny it. We know it. Which is why the thought of our little innocent fluffball running out of the house and disappearing couldn't scare us more. We think that's part of what makes us good cat owners. We know what our cats are and what they need.

The people who came back for "their" cat in this story, as shared on online, were not good cat owners. We don't know if they could be called cat owners at all. How could they- when it took them five months to notice that their cat was missing and actually do something about it? It's lucky that the cat's new owner found him in time. It's lucky that they took him in and nursed him back to health. There's no telling how long he would have survived on his own like this. The last thing that should happen is that cat going back to the people who didn't care about him, and there is no question about that at all. 

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  • 01

    "[Am I wrong] for not returning a cat to their old owners?"

    "I got a text from someone claiming that they're his old owners"
    via Unsplash / Alex Preusser - a_preusser

    Calm cat represented by a meowdel. 

  • 02
    I'm going to try and keep this brief. About 5 and a half months ago the cat distribution system chose me and an underweight and heavily injured adult orange cat, with no collar, tried real hard to get into my car with me.
    via ElecStarGazin
  • 03
    I brought him to the closest vet, no microchip, and no collar, so I was the one on the hook for the tail and leg amputation, meds, aftercare, etc. luckily I was able to afford it and everything he needed at home and he's recovered beautifully. He spends all his free time in my lap, ekekeking at birds from my window, or zooming around being chaos incarnate.
    via ElecStarGazin
  • 04
    During the first few days of his recovery (So I could get better pics since he was clean) I put out posts on my local Facebook, ring, and put out posters around where I found him and the only grocery store in town, but no one called.
    via ElecStarGazin
  • 05
    30 days went by and legally that's when he became mine after trying everything reasonable to find his owner(s) so I took down most the posts/posters but must have missed at least one poster since 4 months and a few days after finding my new buddy Traffic Cone (who I call TC) I got a text from someone claiming that they're his old owners.
    via ElecStarGazin
  • 06
    They sent a picture of their cat and I can admit it probably is TC. When I asked when was the last time they saw him they said "a while" and I told them that I've had TC for months now and legally he's mine. They got really upset and said that TC always returns home after a couple days and they thought he'd been. coming home and that it was unfair of me to keep him.
    via ElecStarGazin
  • 07
    I told him of the condition I found TC in, where he was, and when it was and told them I paid and I've had him for months. They claim I had just put the poster up since they just noticed it near the store. I said that was months ago and they were too late now and hung up.
    via ElecStarGazin
  • 08
    The old owners made a post on our local Facebook about me stealing their 10 y/o's cat and whatnot so I posted a Censored before and after pictures, with dates from the vet, and pettily added that the legal timeframe to claim a pet is 30 days not 164 days.
    via ElecStarGazin
  • 09
    While Most of the comments are on my side the majority of my friends/family and people not on my side say that I'm an a for not giving TC back, or at least asking if they could pay me back and then give TC back.
    via ElecStarGazin
  • 10
    But like, TC is mine legally, and even if they did pay me back I still want him, in all his orange chaotic glory, and while I don't feel like an ah le I thought I'd ask to make sure. So, Reddit, AITA for not giving TC back to his old owners?
    via ElecStarGazin
  • 11
    Cheezburger Image 10636933632
    via ElecStarGazin

  • Whatever you do, do not give this cat back to these people. If it took us five months to notice that our cat was missing and actually do something about it, then something would have to be very wrong with us. We would be running around like headless chickens the second that it happens, calling out for them, making posters, posting online. You wouldn't get us to shut up about it if our cat ran away. They obviously didn't - and wouldn't - care about him at all. 

  • 12
    CarefulCat19 NTA TC clearly wants to be with you. If he is not microchipped, you may want to do that ASAP.
    via CarefulCat19
  • 13
    ElecStarGazin OP Was the first thing I did once he was cleared medically and legally mine. He also has a collar with a traffic cone shaped tag and is 100% an indoor boy.
    via ElecStarGazin
  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10636934400
    via Unsplash / Doncoombez

    The image of a napping cat is purrfectly represented by a cat model. 

  • This is a smart thing to do. This kitty clearly has a penchant for adventure. Even without knowing that the original owners would be coming back with demands, this was the right thing to do for him. And it shows how much you care. It shows, in one simple action, that you are a much better fit for him than his old family ever could be. And we are 100% sure that he knows this too. 

  • 15
    Far_Cheesecake3534 NTA. DO NOT GIVE THAT CAT BACK. Block them on all social media, and keep the post up of what condition you found their cat in. Most animal owners will be on your side.
    via Far_Cheesecake3534
  • 16
    meatpopsicle67 They don't want the cat, they want the drama. Do not give him to the people who didn't care about him. NTA. The cat distribution system chose well.
    via meatpopsicle67
  • 17
    darthpimpin69 NTA, because how badly were they neglecting that cat that it ended up in that condition and they took so long to realise it was missing.
    via darthpimpin69
  • 18
    Cheezburger Image 10636935424
    via Unsplash / Ira E - irae_fotografi

    A cute cat licking its own paw, as represented by a model. 

  • 19
    Ikidlgoat NTA and these are often scammers, they will eventually ask you for money to keep your cat. Don't bother, just enjoy your new life with your new buddy.
    via Ikidlgoat
  • 20
    MastersKitten31 ΝΤΑ People who let their cats wander outside unsupervised is how cats end up in the condition Traffic Cone was in when he came to you, or worse even. If theyre so irresponsible they didnt know he was missing for 4 frking months then they are not responsible pet owners and genuinely id question if you were a good pet owner if you were to give the cat back to them.
    via MastersKitten31
  • 21
    Cheezburger Image 10636931584
    via Unsplash / Uros Miloradovic

    Cat chilling in a calm space, represented by the cutest cat model. 

  • 22
    leodoesgaming letting a cat out with no microchip and no collar is so neglectful, NTA, keep him
    via leodoesgaming

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