Disoriented cat whose head is wrapped up in tape appears on neighbor's deck, only for them to repeatedly shoo him away with a broom, the next-door neighbor sees this, takes meowtters into their own hands, and saves the cat

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Jul 2, 2026 1:30 PM EDT

The CDS never gets things wrong. Sometimes, a delivery accidentally gets sent to the wrong address.

The cat distribution system is something that we wholeheartedly believe in. We didn't at first, when we came across the idea for the first time. It seemed silly to think that cats choose their humans rather than the other way around. But we have come to understand that it's true. It's the only thing that explains all of the strange happenings in the cat adoption world. Why would a dad who hates cats instantly fall in love with the kitten that his kids brought home? Why would a person who got handed a kitten at a drive-through simply be okay with it and take it home? Why would the first thing that the guy who had a kitten fly through its window right into his lap do is ask where to get pet supplies? All for the same reason – the cats were meant to be there.

Sometimes, as is clear by now, the delivery process can be a little strange. You never know when or how a cat is going to find you. We certainly don't think that the person who shared today's story on r/cats had any idea that the cat they saw on their neighbor's porch would end up theirs. The kitty's face was covered in tape. We don't know how – if it was an accident or if someone did something cruel to the cat. We just know this cat first appeared on the neighbor's porch, but that was clearly not where he was supposed to head. Can't blame him for making a mistake. He literally couldn't see properly. It's okay, though. The system, as always, has a way of correcting itself, and Scotch (named after the tape, of course) ended up finding his way to his forever home just fine.  

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  • 01

    "Cat with bandage appeared on our deck"

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    via RadiantWerewolf1712
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    tiesta tea 1051
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  • 05
    Really sweet cat started appearing on our deck out of no where, meowing extremely loudly and scratching at our screen door. It would be on our new neighbors' deck at first (they moved in a few days ago), but they were hitting the railing with a broom to scare it away. :(
    via RadiantWerewolf1712
  • 06
    We gave it some cat food bc we keep some for the strays around our neighborhood and it immediately stopped meowing and has been returning to our deck ever since.
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  • 07
    It is rlly friendly, it rubs against everyone's legs and marks its scent all over our deck furniture. In the first pic you can see a strip of the bandage was hanging loose when we first saw it, and it kept scratching at the loose piece like it was bothering it, so we trimmed off the dangling part.
    via RadiantWerewolf1712
  • 08
    The bandage makes us think someone may have been caring for it recently, but we don't know where it came from or how it ended up here.
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  • 09
    We are planning to take it to a vet today to have the bandage and injury checked and to see whether it has a microchip. We also do not know its s because the fur under its tail is too thick to tell safely.
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  • 10
    Has anyone seen a bandage like this before, or have any idea what might have happened? It is such a sweetie pie, and we want to make sure it is safe and not missing from its home
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  • 11
    Also the brown part on the bandage is like a band aid Edit: i forgot to mention we checked on NextDoor and haven't seen anything about this cat
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    Update: I just got home, he's not here but he'll come back. Went to talk to vet ER people they said be careful handling him so I need to get a crate. Also called local shelter and they can check him out for free so probably will bring him there when he comes back! Sorry I am new to this
    via RadiantWerewolf1712

  • It is hard to imagine that this tape got there by accident. It is wrapped too tightly and too accurately around its head. We'd guess someone did this. And you might have saved this cat's life from that someone by taking him in. 

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    UPDATE 2: He didn't come back to our deck until after the shelter had closed, so we took him to an emergency vet. He is a boy and already neutered!
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  • 15
    The doctor confirmed that the material around his head was some kind of tape. At the vet he was very frightened and hissing, so he had to be sedated to remove it and examine him properly. They even shaved the area, but there was no wound underneath and thankfully no infection!!! We are all very confused about who put the tape on him and why
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    He does have a microchip but the vet could not find any information connected to it. So we are taking him to the shelter tomorrow to see whether they can get more details.
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    He is drooling heavily from the sedation. We were told to keep him inside for at least a day in case he has any side effects, so he is safe in the carrier now and indoors tonight. The visit ended up being quiteeeee a bit more expensive than we expected, but at least he is okay.
    via RadiantWerewolf1712
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    Don't know if we will keep him until we get microchip information. I really just hope he understands that we were trying to help him I can tell the vet stressed him out so much and I feel terrible even though it needed to be done
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  • It's the fact that there was no injury under there that has us believing this was on purpose. Either way, he's much better being with you. And if you ever do find the owner of the microchip… try to make sure that it's not the same person who wrapped this kitty up in tape. 

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  • 20
    Well I have been adopted D D He doesn't stay inside for long he loves laying on the deck, might need to put a screen up We are thinking naming him Scotch (because of the tape...) or Ash Thank u all for the love!!!
    via RadiantWerewolf1712

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