After spending 7 years as a declawed and sick "community cat" outside, one human finally takes a risk and brings the feline home, only for the cat to constantly purr and never try to escape, proving that she needed a home all along

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Jul 18, 2026 1:30 PM EDT

No cat should be declawed, but those who have already been declawed cannot be outdoor cats. 

I have found, over my many years writing for ICanHasCheezburger, that some people have no understanding of what declawing cats actually means. When a vet - a bad one, because no vet should put declawing up as an option - tells them about it, they don't know any better. They don't understand that to declaw a cat is basically equal to destroying their quality of life forever, putting them in constant pain and at constant risk of health complications. 

Knowing this, I try to be forgiving. When people - in my personal life - ask me about this, as someone who they know has a lot of information about cats, I don't get mad at them. I simply explain. And the people who actually care about their cats and want what is best for their cats immediately understand. One problem is obviously the lack of awareness and education. The other problem… and unfortunately, there is nothing that we can really do about that, is that some people simply don't care.

That's what happened to the sweet black cat whose story was shared on r/Straycats. Bad people. She was a neighborhood cat, a "community" cat . The neighbors fed her, knew her, and pretended to care about her. But when someone who actually likes cats came into the picture, saw the state that this cat was, found out that not only was she being left outside in freezing weather but that she was also declawed, and then decided to adopt the cat, to give the cat a good life, the people in this community called them a thief and a liar. The person didn't listen to them. They adopted the cat. But they were a little shaken by that response, so they turned to the internet for advice. 

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    "Neighbors want me to keep declawed cat outside"

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    Cheezburger Image 10647523072
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  • 03
    I need help deciding what to do here. So I moved to a new area and met this super friendly cat. She would run up to me and brush against my legs and meow. Her nose was all red and and her ear had a huge permanent scab, but she looked well fed.
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  • 04
    I eventually asked a neighbor and they said she has a mosquito bite allergy that causes the nose problem, has ear mites and is an outdoor community cat that is at least 7 years old.
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  • 05
    I noticed she was still outside when the temps dropped below 30 here in Florida, so I brought her inside and took her to the vet. She has been super happy inside, purring and making biscuits and not once trying to get out.
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  • 06
    At the vet, we realized she - is declawed she only has her back claws. I got her all her vaccines, medicine for her nose and got her microchipped in my name.
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  • 07
    Since she has been so happy, I'm planning to keep her and make her an inside only cat, since she was outdoor only. I left a note for the people at the house she was at.
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  • 08
    They texted me and were nice, but now some other people in the community are mad and saying I'm a cat thief and that she does have her claws and was happier on the street. I'm just trying to do what's best for the cat - should I bring her back?
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  • 09
    She seems so happy inside but I'm not sure what is best for her. It seems unsafe to have a declawed cat on the street, and living in Florida the mosquito bites and ear mites must be miserable. But idk if I'm doing the right thing
    via Some_Information_857

  • I can't imagine being shaken about a decision as obvious as this one. These neighbors must have been so awful. I couldn't be more glad that you turned to the internet and listened. 

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    UPDATE. Wow thanks everyone for the responses! I'm glad to have my decision validated. I was originally not going to leave a phone number on the note, but my bf encouraged me to do so.
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  • 13
    I deleted the screenshot of the threatening voicemails/texts, but they don't actually know my last name or where we live or anything.
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  • 14
    I told my bf to disengage entirely (we left his number on the note), but he wants to send one message explaining the situation in more detail to the people being "nicer" who were the house she always hung out at.
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  • 15
    I told him he can but if they send anything trying to get her back after that, that we need to block everyone. We named her pepper and she is loving life indoors, super cuddly and always purring. She is starting to feel much better after all the medicine!!
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  • All that matters is that this poor kitty is starting to feel better and to actually live the life that she deserves to have. Keep her away from these terrible people. They don't deserve to so much as see her cuteness. 

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    iamafriendlynoot Who was taking her to the vet to get her medicine for her allergy before you? Who was taking care of her ear mites and looking after her when the temps dropped? Would these neighbors complaining now pay for the vet fees if she was hit by a car or attacked by another animal while she was outside and vulnerable? Talk is cheap, and I doubt those people would put their money where their mouth is.
    via iamafriendlynoot
  • 18
    She's happier, safer, and will live longer and better inside a home. If that's your home, that's great. If the community can't offer her another one, they're not looking after her best interests and their opinions are worth about as much as a wet
    via iamafriendlynoot
  • 19
    Some_Information_857 OP Yeah i was concerned about the nose and ear, but once I saw her outside when it was 20 degrees I was like nope it's time to take her. Also being in Florida and only outdoor and allergic to mosquitos must be horrible for her
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  • 20
    sleepy_lil_grill I mean if she's declawed AND have a mosquito allergy, poor baby needs to be inside whoever declawed her and left her outside is so wrong for that
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  • 21
    Some_Information_857 OP Right I feel so bad for her, poor old girl
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  • 22
    why is it any of their business?
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  • 23
    Some_Information_857 OP I guess they have been feeding her for years and are upset... but they didn't seem concerned about her nose or ear and didn't even know she was declawed
    via Some_Information_857

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