'She called the police': 2 weeks after saving a litter of kittens from starvation, the neighbor's 30-year-old granddaughter demands "her" kittens back, but after being called out for animal neglect, she backs down, and the kittens are safe again

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Jul 29, 2026 3:00 PM EDT

If you didn't notice "your cat" missing for two weeks, and someone else had to save them from starving in that time, is it really your cat?

Losing your cat, even if it's just for one day, is the worst experience in the world. I say this from experience. I lost my cat for exactly 24 hours back when she was less than one year old. I was a teenager, she was my first cat, and it was not my fault, but it was certainly the worst day of my life. The amount of tears I cried, the number of hours I spent outside searching for her, calling her name, shaking the treat bag into the night, hoping and praying that I didn't lose her forever… It took less than an hour for me to notice she was gone. The person in today's story, the one who claimed that the kittens were theirs, didn't notice they were gone for two whole weeks. That is not a cat owner. 

These kittens were in desperate need of help, and a person in the neighborhood decided to actually do something about it. They caught the kittens and helped them when no one else would. They even reached out to their neighbor to make sure that they weren't crossing some boundary, and the neighbor was more than happy for them to help these animals. It was the neighbor's 30-year-old granddaughter who had an issue. Suddenly, out of the blue, she came rushing in, saying the cats were hers, and even went as far as to involve the police. The rescuer saw the red flags, and although they were shaken, they didn't want to give the kittens to someone like this. So, they called her bluff, got the police involved on their end, and just like that, the kittens are safe again.

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  • 01

    "Someone is trying to take my distributed baby away please help."

    Cheezburger Image 10650965760
    via gelibean95
  • 02
    Two weeks ago I was told that there were kittens at the end of the property line where I live. Immediately I went out and started feeding them.
    via gelibean95

  • This right there is what a good human does. No hesitation, no nothing. They heard that an animal was in need of help, and within a moment, they were in action. These kittens are so much better in their hands. 

  • 03
    The neighbor across the fence came over while they were being fed and told us that they were strays and that we could "take them all" if we wanted.
    via gelibean95
  • 04
    Taking them all was not feasible for me, but I was able to bring one in, continue to feed the others, while also looking for shelters that could take in the litter.
    via gelibean95
  • 05
    Not even a week ago we noticed one of the kittens in the litter had head tilt so bad it could barely stand up. A local shelter was contacted and we were able to take that kitten there to get it treated and they released it back. We are still waiting for all the super full shelters to open up during this time to take the litter.
    via gelibean95
  • 06
    Today, the granddaughter of the lady who told us the kittens were strays came peeping through my windows, and pounding on our door demanding "her" kitten back or she's calling the police.
    via gelibean95
  • 07
    I've had this kitten for two weeks. She didn't even realize it was gone until now. I've treated it for fleas and worms and it's so much healthier now than it was when I took it in.
    via gelibean95
  • 08
    He's scheduled for all of his shots and to get fixed soon, as well as a general check up tomorrow. I told her no. She was also referring to the kitten as female, this one is definitely male.
    via gelibean95
  • 09
    So I then told her that it's not her kitten. She called the police. I went back inside. She came back later knocking on my door and I ignored her. To my knowledge the police never arrived.
    via gelibean95
  • 10
    What can I do in this situation? This poor mother cat is small and has been forced to have multiple litters, she knows so little about the kittens that she had no idea one had head tilt and had been treated and is on medication.
    via gelibean95
  • 11
    When I brought my guy in he was starving and flea infested. Do I have to give him to her? I couldn't live with myself if I turned him over to them when they take absolutely no care of them. I live in TN if that's helpful information at all.
    via gelibean95

  • The audacity that some people have never ceases to amaze. This person would rather see the kittens suffer than have them taken care of by someone else. 

  • 12
    Cheezburger Image 10650986240
    via Unsplash / Michael Glazier - mglazier98

    Photo of a cute ginger kitten looking off to the side. 

    The slightly confused feline is a model. 

  • 13
    grendelone If the police do come around, don't make this complicated. The kitten was on your property when you got her and you have a paper trail of vet care for her to prove ownership. They don't need the rest of the story about the other kittens etc. unless you want to show that you were the one providing care for them too in order to strengthen your case for ownership of this kitten.
    via grendelone
  • 14
    gelibean95 OP The granddaughter is an adult probably late 30s. His first vet appointment is tomorrow. We rent so we don't own the property technically but they were on our side of the fence when took him in and they're on our side of the fence often. The lady tried to nail the fence shut tonight but the kittens still figured out how to come over.
    via gelibean95
  • 15
    Cheezburger Image 10650971648
    via Unsplash / Michael Glazier - mglazier98

    Picture of a sweet orange kitten playing with a toy. 

    The tiny hooligan is represented by a kitten meowdel. 

  • 16
    grendelone I highly doubt the police will get involved, but it might be good for you to write out a timeline of what happened when to document what is going on. You can supplement with pictures etc. The more organized and factual evidence you can provide, the easier it will be for the police to see her as the lunatic and you as the sane person.
    via grendelone
  • 17
    gelibean95 OP I feel like I should've reported her for trespassing and peeping through my windows as soon as it happened. The shelter that helped the head tilt kitten is associated with the local animal control, so I've also considered calling them to see if they can press neglect charges. Since she so willingly claims all of them, she should take responsibility for how she's been treating them.
    via gelibean95
  • 18
    Cheezburger Image 10650974976
    via Unsplash / Michael Glazier - mglazier98

    Image of a cute orange kitten wrapped in a purrito. 

    The purriotoed subject is a kitten model. 

  • 19
    Aiyokusama Don't worry about the granddaughter. Taking the little bean to the vet starts a paper trail which can be used to show ownership. Contact local shelters and rescues for live catch traps so you can TNR even if they can't be taken in. At least then poor momma won't have to pop out any more litters.
    via Aiyokusama
  • 20
    gelibean95 OP That was my plan. They said they wouldn't be able to get her in until August or so because every shelter in my area has more kittens than ever before. All of the shelters are at 400-800% capacity. One place I called said that they're doing 100-300 spay/neuters a day. It's a wild time for kitties rn unfortunately
    via gelibean95
  • 21
    Cheezburger Image 10650972928
    via Unsplash / Michael Glazier - mglazier98

    Picture of a tiny kitten in blankets. 

    Represented by a purrfect orange model. 

  • 22
    Aiyokusama Yeah, kitten season is in full swing >_< Are they - cute? HI yeah! Does poor mom need to be popping out more? H I no!
    via Aiyokusama
  • 23
    gelibean95 OP She's pitiful. She looks young herself and she's a small cat too. She's a calico and she's so pretty. She was very afraid when I first met her but now she lets me pet her and I just want to help her and all of them if I can. However, now I feel like since I've been told they belong to someone else they might actually try to press charges or something when I try to help.
    via gelibean95
  • 24
    Cheezburger Image 10650986496
    via Unsplash / Michael Glazier - mglazier98

    Picture of a cute orange kitten looking at a piece of string. 

    Image includes a small ginger meowdel. 

  • 25
    *** **UPDATE: The granddaughter was told that she is being reported for animal neglect, now she is claiming that none of them belong to her and that it was all a "misunderstanding" and she has now backed off from all of them.
    via gelibean95
  • 26
    Thank you all so much for the advice, I feel like this is the best case scenario so that we can now get all of the babies and the mother fixed and in proper care and hopefully homes.
    via gelibean95
  • 27
    All of your advice has meant so much to me. Thank you for the help, the encouragement and letting me vent. We did it guys ****
    via gelibean95
  • 28
    Cheezburger Image 10650986752
    via Unsplash / Michael Glazier - mglazier98

    Image of an orange kitten walking. 

    The fierce ginger is a meowdel.

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