“I grabbed the cat and took it to the vet”: Outdoor tomcat keeps showing up sick on a neighbor’s porch, so she steals him after owner dismisses her concerns, then wonders if she crossed a line

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jul 5, 2026 7:00 PM EDT

What is more important: a cat's health or respecting ownership?

It sounds like an easy question, but is it really? When it comes down to it, would you be willing to steal someone's cat and all the consequences that come with it… even if they weren't taking care of it? Animals are considered property in the United States, so in the eyes of the law, it would be the same as stealing someone's couch or car. Now that we say that, it's not such an easy question, huh? Would you steal someone's car, even if they were letting it rust and fall apart? Probably not.

But, an outdoor tomcat is not the same as a car. A feline has feelings and more needs than a car. That's what became apparently clear in our neighbor's story from a helpful Reddit community a few days ago. The nearly outdoor-only cat kept showing up on her porch, so much so that she made him a little hut to live in. He started coming more and more, and began to show signs of illness. She brought it up with the owner, but he didn't care at all and asked her to "stop being so obsessive over [his] cat and that he's fine". 

So what did she do?

She took him. To the vet.

Now she's wondering if she should return him at all. It's tough, because this is someone's pet, but if they're clearly not caring for it, then aren't you doing more bad than good? Purrsonally, I wouldn't return him. I would find a home for him, and if questioned, just say he probably ran away (that happens with outdoor cats a lot).  Sometimes, the right thing to do isn't always to tell the truth. It's learning when to lie (and how to lie well) that is the tricky part.

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  • 01
    What I did was necessary f cat's well being
    via Aflo images

    A stray cat sleeping outside 

  • 02
    I moved into my new house around 5 months ago, smaller neighborhood. I have 1 cat and since we moved in shes been kinda on edge. Understandable since its a new area but I was worried so I looked into it and noticed a collared unfixed Tom cat coming by regularly and definitely spraying. I was a little annoyed at first because I think its pretty
    via truly_sad_panda
  • 03
    irresponsible to have a unfixed tom cat walking around knowing it was someone's pet. Turns out it was my next door neighbors, so when I went around and met everyone I asked about there cat.
    via truly_sad_panda
  • 04
    Turns out there daughter really wanted one but the dad hates cats so they basically do the bare minimum so she can have a cat around every once and a while. I suggested atleast getting him fixed as we dont need more kittens being made and they where against. I brushed it off annoyed at first but over the next few months I was watching the cat and noticed some nights they didnt even let it back inside.
    via truly_sad_panda

  • I'm sure that, as a dad, you have to do a lot of things you don't want to. Changing diapers, and sitting through 4th grade choir concerts (which sound more like a bunch of kids screaming than singing for 45 minutes), but getting a cat should not be included in that list. We don't love dogs, but if our kid wanted a dog, we would get one and learn to live with it. Putting it outside forever is not an appropriate solution.

  • 05
    After a while I started leaving food out for it and put up a warm cat hut for it to sleep. Often times it would hang out with me in my garage or follow me as I worked outside. This last week I started to notice signs of worms, he looked very bloated and was drooling, so I checked on there where clear segments on his bum. As
    via truly_sad_panda
  • 06
    soon as I knew I walked over and knocked on their door to tell them. The father seemed quite annoyed and told me to stop being so obsessive over there cat and that hes fine (i brought up the possibility he had worms befor a couple time but now im 100% sure).
    via truly_sad_panda
  • 07
    So about 2 days ago I felt kinda gross about it all so I grabbed the cat and took it to the vet. I took the collar off and put him under my name and said he was a stray, Vet checked and he had no chip. Turns out he had tapeworm and
    via truly_sad_panda
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10643818752
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    Father and son with orange cat at veterinarian's office (model representation)

  • 09
    whipworm and he had alot of them, he also had some dental issues. I left with meds for him though not thinking about it I had to keep him until he was worm free. But honestly even when he is I would feel horrible returning him back where he wouldnt get any care.
    via truly_sad_panda
  • 10
    I've had him for two days quarantined to not spread the worms and have been monitoring him. I felt like I made the right choice until I saw missing posters go up for him and I started to feel really bad. I talked to some freinds and im getting alot of mixed responses. I still feel like what I did was necessary for the cats well being
    via truly_sad_panda
  • 11
    sl -for-pickles I'm gonna get sh for saying this, but outdoor cats are free cats. Whether taken care of or not, leaving a cat outside to face the dangers of life by itself, not to mention the irreversible harm they do to other wildlife, is irresponsible.
    via sl**-for-pickles

  • There is no right or wrong answer to this, it all depends on your morals. Which is more important to you? A cat's well-being or respecting the rules of someone's household?

  • 12
    In this particular case, since the cat was in SUCH bad shape, I'd argue you'd be the a hole if you DIDNT take it. NTA people need to learn to keep their cats inside if they want to keep them.
    via sl**-for-pickles
  • 13
    Jeveran NTA I'd go a step further and get him neutered. If he's going to be roaming around outside, it'd be better for the environment if he didn't add into feline overpopulation.
    via Jeveran
  • 14
    SensitiveSpeech 9707 Neglecting obvious medical issues changes this from a pet dispute into an animal welfare issue.
    via SensitiveSpeech9707
  • 15
    Ok_Albatross8909 · 3d ago . NTA. Putting up a missing cat poster does not negate months of ab e. Wouldn't get too hot and bothered about legality. If you're planning on remaining next door to these people your best bet is probably to rehome
    via Ok_Albatross8909
  • 16
    it with someone you know who want see the poster and return it tbh. Growing up we had a neighbour who was grossly neglecting their German shepherd. He wasn't allowed inside,
    via Ok_Albatross8909
  • 17
    I up, emaciated, was always covered in flies with matted hair. Watching him slowly degrade was devastating as a kid and I still have not fully gotten over my parents doing nothing.
    via Ok_Albatross8909
  • 18
    ejvollkrassalter i'm pretty sure the missing posters. are just to placate the kid. the father is probably glad the cat is gone. NTA.
    via ejvollkrassalter
  • 19
    OneLessDay517 NTA. Keep him hidden until he's recovered from the worms, then get him neutered.
    via OneLessDay517
  • 20
    Then, if you're so inclined, release him back into the neighborhood. It's miracle, Fluffy has returned!
    via OneLessDay517
  • 21
    Cheezburger Image 10643817472
    via Yerlin Matu via Unsplash

    Outdoor cat getting love from human, as represented by a model

  • 22
    If you're NOT so inclined, and perfectly understandable if you're not, he must become an indoor only cat so you're never accused of stealing him. And keep him out of windows where he can be seen by neighbors!
    via OneLessDay517
  • 23
    Appropriate-Sky3537 NTA personally I would take this cat to a charity quietly and get it a better home.
    via Appropriate-Sky3537
  • 24
    chris_izzle My friend is now a proud cat dad, because his other friend abducted a poor cat that was being mistreated and brought it to his new home, where he's now happy and spoiled. I would take that cat somewhere further away and make sure it had a happy home, and then drop a comment to the owners that maybe the cat ran away from being mistreated.
    via chris_izzle
  • 25
    West-Sound405 ignore the posters, I doubt they're actually looking and put them up to placate the girl. if you know anyone in animal rescue, now's the time to ask for a favor - if you take him at least a county away, I doubt the family would bother retrieving him. (or you could keep him!)
    via West-Sound405
  • 26
    if he ever comes up in conversation, you could mention that the worms you warned them about are fatal if untreated and he likely did in the woods. either way, if you're saving an animal from neglect, you're NTA. just don't put him back where you found him lol
    via West-Sound405

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