[Michelle Engbino]

Aww, that stray cat's so cute... Do you think it's unreasonable to keep it for yourself?​

AIBU, which stands for 'Am I Being Unreasonable', is the perfect platform for sharing your thoughts and opinions! So, for today's AIBU discussion, we have this story from ApartmentMobile1299.

'So a feral cat colony lives in my neighborhood, and I often trap them to be spayed/neutered. In December 2024 I trapped an adult tuxedo cat. I was planning on neutering and releasing him but he was so loving.'

'I brought him inside for a flea bath and he would not stop hugging me. Like literally putting both arms around my neck. After taking him to the vet I saw he wasn’t neutered or microchipped and had tapeworms. I assumed he was a friendly stray who lived in the colony and kept him.'

'Fast forward nine months and a friend sent me a Facebook post on a local community page of a woman claiming she was missing her cat.'

'A picture showed a male tuxedo and she even said he loved to give HUGS. I knew it was him because he has a distinct white spot in the middle of his forehead. I was shocked.'

'She said she knew it was a long shot since he went missing in December but she was not aware of the lost pet Facebook page, only the local shelter who was not much help since he never made it there… he made it in my house instead.'

'I feel so guilty because she is probably thinking the worst happened to him. I wish I could tell her that he’s safe, but I know if I did she would want him back.'

'My friend thinks giving him back is the right thing to do but he has the best home with me and has bonded with my cat and I. In the ladies post she said her four yr old daughter misses him and that he was their beloved outdoor/indoor cat. I truly feel bad for the owner’s daughter, however the woman does not sound like a good cat owner.'

'It is not legal in our city to let your cats roam and it is extremely dangerous for them. Also, he was in bad condition and not neutered so I think it’s very irresponsible she was letting him outside to reproduce and expand the colony near our homes.'

'He is just so happy with me and I would hate for him to end up missing/dead as a part time outdoor cat. So, am I being unreasonable for pretending like I never saw the post?'

'EDIT: a lot of people are wondering why I didn’t make more of an effort to contact the owners. Looking back I probably should have. In addition to the things I’ve already stated, he was infested with fleas, had scratches all over his face and ears, did not understand how to use stairs, and was terrified of my tv. His poor condition, slight under-socialization, and unfamiliarity with common household things led me to believe he did not have owners'

 

[blondie17]

Yes definitely you should keep him. Anyone who leaves a cat in that state should be fined by the RSPCA.

 

[meighLeigh]

Certainly I am less than impressed by the original "owner". Cats do go missing sometimes, and my heart goes out to the owners - but not if they are 'keeping' an entire male cat outside because he stinks (and they do!) and don't notice he's gone for some time.
I'm inclined to suspect the original 'owner' saw your beautiful boy and decided she wanted him. She may not even have been the person who dumped the cat in the first instance.

 

[Shellface]

As long as that cat isn't going hungry or in danger it's ok to take care of it

 

[etphhome]

Yes, keep him, where he is well looked after and loved.

 

[cblayney]

Yes definitely you should keep him. Anyone who leaves a cat in that state should be fined by the RSPCA.

Keep him. He deserves a good home. A responsible owner would have had him microchipped and desexed.

 

[Littleboy8]

Keep him. He deserves a good home. A responsible owner would have had him microchipped and desexed.

I agree my boys a stray who was not neutered or microchipped ,and skinny and hungry I tried to find the owner but no luck so I kept him and had him chipped and desexed vet said he was about 1year old.Had him for 7 years now and he’s my best little mate so he’s 8.

 

[Dreams]

Just think the others missing their cat probably love it as much as you do,

Do the right thing and ask if it is their cat.

You might luck out and that cat may not be theirs.

 

[Rose-Marie]

Yes. My sister had a visit from the cat nextdoor twice over a period of time, and the owners took him home twice. Eventually he stayed permanently as the neighbours ended up moving. Obviously the cat thought my sister's place was better. My sister had a cat already who has since passed on. Now Bono (the neighbours cat) is her only company and is much appreciated.

 

[Towing]

My cousin had a cat that kept sneaking outside and disappearing for a few days. My Aunty later discovered my cousin was wripping in up and taking it for a walk in her pram in the back yard. By fluke they found out he was also living at a house the other side of a very busy road visiting a lonely lady who lived alone who thought it was a stray and was feeding it. It was decided the cat would permanently live inside at the lady's house.