Cat owners claim neighbor stole their cat after they rescue it from being repeatedly left out in the freezing cold; now the cat prefers the neighbors, and the owners call the cops

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Nov 11, 2026 1:30 PM EST

Every cat deserves a home where they feel safe, loved, and, most importantly, warm.

We know that there's a whole debate about whether you should let your cat roam outside or not. Some cats actually enjoy spending time outside, exploring their little territories and doing their own thing. But that doesn't mean they should be kicked out with no way out. When it's nearly winter. When the temperatures are freezing. Especially when they have owners and warm homes. Our house cats are pretty spoiled, as they should be. They have cozy places to nap and humans who make sure they're comfortable. Every cat deserves that same kind of care. And sometimes, the people who end up giving a cat the life they deserve aren't necessarily the people who originally brought them home.

That's what makes stories like today's so important. A cat doesn't care about ownership disputes or who gets to claim them. They care about having someone who looks after them. Someone who makes sure they're warm when it's cold outside and who gives them a safe place to sleep. And when a kitty repeatedly finds herself left outside in the freezing cold by her owners, only to be welcomed into a warm home by the neighbors, it's not hard to understand why she might decide to stay. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that she's loved and cared for. 

Give the gift of kindness this holiday season by donating to our Giving Tuesday fundraiser to help homeless pets and animals in need! It's time to pay your cat tax!

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  • 01

    "So I stole a cat"

    Cheezburger Image 10675687936
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 02
    My neighbors moved here in the summer and have been leaving their cat outside. I don't like this but the cat was okay. Cut to now (December) and it was below freezing and the cat was still outside. I caught it drinking out of a dirty puddle.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 03
    Long story short I scooped the cat but am worried because I know which neighbors it is and I had previously asked them if it was their cat. They don't that I'm their nexdoor neighbor though because I left a note on their door with instructions to text me.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 04
    I am still worried because what if they come after me or what if they really liked the cat. What if it's chipped and the humane society calls the owners. I just want this buddy to be safe.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato

  • Cat ownership actually means something. Yes, cats are relatively easy animals to have as pets. They don't ask for much. Some food, some water, a clean litter box, and an occasional hug. Sounds kind of easy, doesn't it? But there is more to cat ownership than this. Being a cat owner means paying attention to your cat, caring about your cat, worrying about it and making sure that it always gets what it needs. And maybe the simplest thing that any cat needs is a bed. A warm place to stay at night, especially in the winter when the world gets colder. The cat in this story supposedly had owners, but they weren't actual cat owners in the real sense of the word. Because they broke that one rule. Instead of giving their cat a warm place to sleep at night, they kept locking it out in the cold, with no way back inside. 

  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10675687424
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 06
    UPDATE: For those who are still tuned in, I text the owners the following morning. I still haven't heard anything so me and and my cat buddy are chilling. It actually laid with me on the couch last night and my heart melted. I would show if I knew how to upload images
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 07
    Too Hot
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 08
    UPDATE 2: I still haven't heard from the owners. The cat is really enjoying being a house cat. Here's my little buddy.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10675687680
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 10
    Some of you remember I took my neighbors cat in out of the cold and was debating what I should do. There have been developments.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 11
    The next morning I texted them and told them I took their cat in out of the cold. I did not receive a response for 5 days. Cut to Christmas Eve
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 12
    Cat throws up a lot and threw up the day before. I see some pink in its throw up and realize I have to take it to the emergency vet. I am stressed and let it slip it's not my cat. I then have to eat crow and ask the owners permission to treat the cat and I'll pay for it.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 13
    Cheezburger Image 10675688704
    via Unsplash / Ricardo L - ricardol

    Black and white cat on brown wooden table.

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

  • 14
    They get mad. I cry. Cats fine and probably isn't adjusting well to new (real) food. I return the cat under their request. Preserving every aspect of my identity in the process.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 15
    Another week goes by. I get told by my other neighbor 2 things. 1: they left it on their non-climate controlled patio the entire time. Luckily it was high 40° F for the week. 2: The first day it's below freezing (NYE) they let it back out in the cold.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 16
    I get word from my neighbor that the cat sounds like it's in heat and 3 cats are having a mating party under her deck. I went back out there with my carrier and she ran right up to me and I picked her up and put her in the cage. She's now back in my house.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 17
    I gave them a shot, but otherwise our neighborhood will be overrun with cats out in the freezing cold.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 18
    Cheezburger Image 10675688960
    via Unsplash / Ricardo L - ricardol

    White and black cat with yellow eyes.

    Featured likenesses do not identify those mentioned.

  • 19
    Here we are again huh. So I followed all the rules of where I live and submitted a report to Animal Control that I found a stray. The proper amount of time lapsed and no word from the "owners" so by all accounts that makes me the owner according to Animal Control.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 20
    In fact, the cat was on the online bulletin board 3x the amount of time it was supposed to be, and still nothing.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 21
    Cut to today, found out the cat is pre_nant. Likely will get a pre_nant spay as there is no where to rehome the kittens and I cannot provide support to my cat during this process as I have a trip coming up.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 22
    2 days ago the "owners" threatened to call the cops and they discovered my name somehow so I am no longer anonymous. I will not communicate with them. Let the cops come. I have followed proper procedure and at this point I think the previous "owners" just found a stray they liked and was feeding it.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 23
    That's not ownership. Still nervous about it though. No matter how confident you feel before, when the cops come knocking its never pleasant. I'll let you know how that goes if it wasn't an empty threat.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 24
    Cheezburger Image 10675689216
    via Unsplash / Ricardo L - ricardol

    A gray and white cat sitting on a window sill.

    Representative only.

  • 25
    Hello for the last time. I got Tot a pre_nant spay as I got some good guidance from my loved ones. Tot came home with me and wore her silly little shirt for two weeks so she wouldn't pick as her stitches.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 26
    In that two weeks she discovered under the covers and likes to sleep there with me. She got her shirt off and can roam free now. I have heard nothing from the people that claim to own her since they threatened me with the cops. At this point I think we're in the clear and I just have a new cat.
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 27
    She's very sweet and we are best friends. Eventually I think I may leash train her and take her on walks around her former domain. Thank y'all for following, have an excellent day, you may now close your tab. FIN
    via u/Direct-Caterpillar77, u/I-Am-Neato
  • 28
    Cheezburger Image 10675688448
    via Unsplash / Ricardo L - ricardol

    Fuffy black and white cat with bright eyes. 

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

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neighbors Cats rescue cold
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