Cat whose heartbroken owner had to rehome him for financial reasons decides he should have a say too, escapes his new house and walks all the way to his old home, leaving his owner no choice but to take him back: 'I was so happy and confused'

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Aug 9, 2026 4:45 PM EDT

Cats always have an opinion, and they make sure you hear them out. 

Cats are our babies. Just because they don't have our DNA doesn't mean that they are not. In practice, that is exactly what they are. They are their own little independent creatures with their own independent desires, and yet, we are the ones making the final calls. When my cat needed to be put on a diet, she was put on a diet, no matter how much she protested. When my cat spooks me into taking her to the vet, she can yell all she wants, but we're going. When my cat screams at the closed door of my bathroom when I'm showering… fine, I let her in. We, as pawrents, have to choose our battles. 

They may be tiny, but our cats always have big opinions. Whether we agree with their opinions or not, one thing is for sure, and that is that our cats will let us know what they are. Loud and clear. And although most times, our cats really don't have the final say, sometimes, like the kitty in today's story, they do what they want anyway. 

When this owner rehomed their cat, they did it with the best intentions. They were having trouble financially, and they thought that their cat would do better in a more stable home. They found the best replacement home they could, then they moved, and weeks of heartbreak and staring at cat pictures passed before they heard a meow in front of their new home. Mind you, the cat didn't know this new home, didn't know the way. Half an hour from his old home, and he found his previous owners anyway. And you know what? He knew better. He preferred to be with them, even if it meant slightly less fancy cat trees. 

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  • 01

    "One of my cats found their way back home after my mom gave them away."

    www миши
    via Neat_Toe7235
  • 02
    Just thought I'd tell this story cuz I don't really get to tell anyone about it.
    via Neat_Toe7235
  • 03
    But last year, my mom gave away my cats because she was struggling financially and because we were moving away shortly after. She gave them away to some guy who seemed pretty nice.
    via Neat_Toe7235
  • 04
    I was honestly very sad and disappointed. a few weeks go by and I'm still thinking about both of them so much, basically looking at pictures I took of them every da.
    via Neat_Toe7235
  • 05
    But then, as I was coming back from school I hear a meow, and I IMMEDIATELY recognised who's meow that was. I look down and see one of my cats right there, waiting at the front door. I genuinely couldn't believe what I was seeing, I was so happy and confused.
    via Neat_Toe7235
  • 06
    MIND YOU, the guys house was around 30 mins drive, and we've never been there nor knew him, so the fact that my cat found his way back as absolutely insane. Present day, he's still here and I'm very happy to have him back.
    via Neat_Toe7235
  • 07
    I still feel very sad about his sister that stayed back, and I wish I could see her again. (first picture is the one that returned, and the second one is his sister that stayed) sorry if I got the flair wrong, I didn't know what to put for this one.
    via Neat_Toe7235
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10653540352
    via Neat_Toe7235

  • We're happy he's home, where he wants to be. Clearly, it didn't matter to him that he could be provided for “better” in that other home. He wanted his humans.

  • 09
    Edit: I saw a few comments talking negatively about my mom, and I do agree that what she did was wrong, plus I did hate her for a little while after she gave them up. But, overtime what I realized was that she gave them up out of love and concern for them. She was only hoping to make them happy.
    via Neat_Toe7235
  • 10
    Even though her actions were cruel, her intentions weren't. So please don't be too mean to my mom. I understand where all the anger is coming from, and I do still feel a good amount of anger at her whenever the topic is brought up, but yeah, she was trying her best and ended up making a bad mistake.
    via Neat_Toe7235
  • 11
    For cases like these, the most we can do is look at the positive things.
    via Neat_Toe7235
  • 12
    Cheezburger Image 10653540608
    via Neat_Toe7235

  • It's the other kitty we're thinking about now. We truly don't know what's best for her. It could be that she's truly happy in her new home. We hope you keep in touch though, that you're making sure she really is in good hands. 

  • 13
    SuburbanSurvivor 16 Nah this is funny. Your cat was like "f I'm going home" this guy.
    via SuburbanSurvivor
  • 14
    Neat_Toe7235 OP Yeah, that's what surprised me. I remember my dad telling me a similar story and I didn't believe it but it happened to me!!! He's genuinely so sweet for coming back, I thought I'd never seem him again.
    via Neat_Toe7235
  • 15
    Tinamacht Not sure what to react to ... your cat loves you ... your mom can't deal with the cats ...
    via Tinamacht
  • 16
    Neat Toe7235 OP To be honest, I think my mom was overreacting a little. I don't think she needed to give them away, but she still loved them very much. She takes care of them amazingly!!
    via Neat_Toe7235
  • 17
    AnastasiaSheppard Has your mum not heard from the guy about the cat going missing? How did this one get away from the guy, was he keeping them inside and he escaped, or are they roaming outside?
    via AnastasiaSheppard
  • 18
    Neat Toe7235 OP I don't know about the details. But they're both outdoor cats, so I'm assuming that he did try keeping them inside, but the one that returned slipped out.
    via Neat_Toe7235
  • 19
    Luci-Noir The cat came back the very next day
    via Luci-Noir
  • 20
    Neat_Toe7235 OP LOLLL I WAS SINGING THAT WHEN HE CAME BACK. His name is jack so I was singing "The Jack came back, the very next day."
    via Neat_Toe7235
  • 21
    GlitterBlood773 Oh. This is so bittersweet many more years together may you two have
    via GlitterBlood773
  • 22
    Neat_Toe7235 OP Thank you, I hope so too.
    via Neat_Toe7235

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