'She definitely pulled a prank': Missing cat returns home on her own on her birthday, walking in like she deserves the $2,500 prize money

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Oct 9, 2026 11:00 AM EDT

Cats have a sense of humor. 

Once you have been a cat owner long enough, you come to learn all kinds of things about felines that you didn't know before. You learn how smart cats are, because they constantly outsmart you. And you learn that even the smartest cats have their dumb moments, when they start having zoomies in the middle of the night and running into walls. You learn that cats have a sense of time, because they always wake you at 5 AM on the dot. They have a sense of timing, because they always know when you're supposed to be doing something and what it means for them. And you learn that cats… have a sense of humor. And one of their favortie jokes is giving you heart attacks. Cats hide in insane places. Cats sleep so hard you think they're gone. And cats run away. Sometimes. For fun. And come back on their own. Just to keep you on your toes. 

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  • 01

    "She's back and acting like nothing happened."

    LOST CAT $2,500 REWARD PLEASE CALL OWNER:
    via u/coasteh
  • 02
    Posing like it's her employee of the month photo. Never a dull moment here with Nala.
    via u/coasteh
  • 03
    Queasy_Picture4466 So glad she's home.
    via Queasy_Picture4466
  • 04
    coasteh OP Thank you. She's indoors only but is obsessed with our garage. She must have slipped by when we entered without us noticing. Felt like I suffered multiple heart attacks through this fiasco
    via u/coasteh

  • We swear that they do this to us on purpose sometimes. They just need to keep us on our toes. They need to make sure that we know that they are the reason we have peace when we do and chaos when we do, and we need to appreciate the former while it lasts. Sigh. As long as they come back to us, we're okay with this. Just- come back, always. 

  • 05
    - By the way, the most interesting detail, we found her yesterday, ON HER BIRTHDAY, 10/1. She went missing the day before. Made it so much worse. She definitely pulled a prank. She is now 4.
    via u/coasteh
  • 06
    Cheezburger Image 10668838400
    via Unsplash / Ariel Salgado

    A cute calico cat resting on a wooden porch.

    Still frame for contextual reference only.

  • 07
    weefees How long was she missing?
    via weefees
  • 08
    coasteh OP Just shy of a full day. Lot of coyotes, owls, hawks in the area. Had terrible thoughts. Every minute feels like hours She was found under a deck about 15 yards in the back of our property. It had previously been searched multiple times. She was likely wandering a huge creek/forested area connected to our backyard
    via u/coasteh

  • My cat went missing for 24 hours as well, and I know the feeling. These were the worst 24 hours of my young life at the time. She fell off the first floor balcony, so I knew she survived the fall, but I didn't know more than that. Shook treats outside all night long, cried the entire 24 hours, thought the worst. And then, I heard meowing underneath my window, and I knew. I instantly knew that it was her. 

    I got out in my flip-flops and pajamas, called her name, and she - dirty, wet, exhausted - walked along the tree branch she was sitting on and right into my arms. I carried her home, clutched her to my chest, and  I had never felt more relieved in my life. She's not tried escaping once since, not once for the past 10 years. Hates the outside. I equally wish that I knew what she went through in those 24 hours, and I am so glad that I will never know. All that matters is that she came back to me. 

  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10668837888
    via Unsplash / Erika - eviedibi

    Close-up of a beautiful calico cat against a blurry background. 

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 10
    Yelling AtTheClouds She wants the reward money
    via YellingAtTheClouds
  • 11
    coasteh OP "I found your cat. It's me. Pay up."
    via u/coasteh
  • 12
    Cheezburger Image 10668838144
    via Unsplash / Thea Harrison - theah

    A sleepy calico cat sitting on a carpeted floor.

    Featured likenesses do not identify those mentioned.

  • 13
    ArguablyMe Did you pay up? She deserves it.
    via ArguablyMe
  • 14
    commandrix She looks like she'd take payment in the fanciest catnip you can find.
    via commandrix
  • 15
    Tatle TaleStrangler92 After her reward money GIF gif
    via TatleTaleStrangler92
  • 16
    Cheezburger Image 10668837632
    via Unsplash / Juan Pablo Jou-Valencia - jjouvalencia

    A cute calico cat sitting on top of a couch.

    Scene is illustrative and does not depict actual individuals or events.

  • 17
    LostSphinx47 Can I turn myself in?
    via LostSphinx47
  • 18
    pale-greenn That's exactly what my cat did. I panicked for two whole days, it was storming for most of it. After exhausting door knocking, searching the neighborhood, and posting reward signs, I decided to just sit in my backyard and occasionally call for him. 15 minutes later he popped up under the fence talking all about his adventure and then just acted like he'd never been gone at all. I was both relieved and extremely perturbed!!
    via pale-greenn

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missing hilarious cat found lol funny cats ridiculous silly Cats funny
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