• I Can Has Cheezburger?
  • Cats N' Kittens
  • Cat Meme Of The Decade
  • Lolcats

  • Links
  • Community
  • About Us
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Security
  • DMCA Policy
    • search email community favorite this article chev-right latest posts article list comments tags video article login twitter facebook menu pinterest whatsapp

    24 hours after adopting a cat from a coworker, the previous owners demand she be returned to them or that the new owner pay for all previous pet expenses: 'I already sent them money the day of the adoption'

    Cats are not toys to be played with, and they cannot be thrown around as if they are. 

    Adopting a cat should be a wholesome thing to do, an action full of joy and good intentions from everyone. When someone rescues a cat, we always hope that the kitty will be adopted by them as well, that her forever home will be guaranteed right away, but we know that not everyone can handle becoming a cat owner at the drop of a dime. And giving the cat away to someone who can take care of it and give it the life and the love that it deserves is a good thing too. Doing what is best for the cat is what matters. 

    When the woman in this story gave away her cat, we saw that as a good thing. Unfortunate, yes, but ultimately, that is what was the best for the kitty. We also understand the sadness of having given her away. What we do not understand is demanding to get her back. This woman gave the kitty away for a reason. You can't just toss the cat around from home to home, thinking that there will be no consequences. And after that, threatening that if the cat isn't given back to them, then the new owner has to pay all the previous expenses the cat had, on top of the actual fee they took for the cat… that is too much. 

    Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

    Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky Mariel Ruvinsky
    Add us on Google
    Advertisement
    • 01

      "[Am I wrong] for refusing to give a cat back to her previous owner after adopting her?"

      picture of someone holding a cute kitten
      via Unsplash / Haley Owens - haleyo

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

    • Advertisement
    • 02
      I adopted a kitten yesterday from a young woman (earlier 20s) who had been debating for about two weeks whether she could keep the cat due to her mental health and overall bandwidth after adopting late December.
      via Grand-Yam8850
    • 03
      Ultimately, she decided to rehome her to me after taking the two weeks to think on it. I was initially introduced to her and the cat because my friend's coworker (the woman's mom) asked at work if anyone knew of a good home, which is how we connected.
      via Grand-Yam8850
    • 04
      My partner and I already have another cat and had been intentionally looking to adopt for a few months. We brought the cat into our home and started the adjustment process just yesterday.
      via Grand-Yam8850
    • Advertisement
    • 05
      Less than 24 hours later, the previous owner texted asking for the cat back. I responded kindly but said we felt committed to keeping her after all the time and prep into welcoming her into our home. She reacted poorly and began begging to come pick the cat up immediately, sending numerous messages.
      via Grand-Yam8850
    • 06
      I feel terrible because she's young and clearly distressed, but I'm also worried that giving the cat back so quickly would be stressful and unstable, especially since she originally wasn't sure she could care for a cat long-term. AITAH for saying no and keeping the cat?
      via Grand-Yam8850
    • Advertisement

    • We can kind of understand the feeling of regret that this person is probably feeling after giving the cat away… because we would have been feeling the same thing. On the other hand, if we had felt like we had the capability of taking care of the cat, we would not have given it away in the first place. So, this is sus. It is just extremely, extremely suspicious, and in your place, we wouldn't have given the cat back either. You're right when you say that jumping from place to place like that is not good for the cat either. 

    • 07

      "UPDATE: [Am I wrong] for refusing to give a cat back after adopting her? Now being asked to pay additional money."

      picture of someone holding a cute kitten
      via Unsplash / Haley Owens - haleyo

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

    • 08
      After my original post, things escalated further. The previous owner continued begging for the cat back days later and offered to send us money for another cat.
      via Grand-Yam8850
    • Advertisement
    • 09
      Now her mom has also started contacting me (and my friend, her coworker), listing the original adoption fee, supplies they purchased, and is now asking us to reimburse them for these costs. I already sent them money the day of the adoption for the supplies.
      via Grand-Yam8850
    • 10
      No additional payment or reimbursement was ever discussed or agreed upon as part of the adoption. I've already said no to returning the cat, and now I'm feeling extremely pressured to either give the cat back or pay them. AITA for refusing to return the cat and refusing to pay them?
      via Grand-Yam8850
    • 11
      Lunoko Of course you are not the asshole. They seem extremely unstable and not concerned about the cat's best interests. At this point, you might be able to report them for harassment. But otherwise, block them. Do not pay them another cent. Get the cat microchipped under your name and address. Take them to a vet for a checkup and get any needed vaccines and make sure everything is in your name.
      via Lunoko
    • Advertisement
    • 12
      Flimsy-Fortune-6437 Block them on all channels
      via Flimsy-Fortune-6437

    • Yeah, okay, if there was any doubt before, it's gone now. Their behavior is all over the place, and we would not trust them with the cat at all. We understand you wanting to avoid further conflict, but you do not owe them money, and you certainly do not owe them the cat back. We would say cut off all contact, take screenshots for recepits, and take even more extreme measures if you have to later. We trust you with this cat about ten million times more than we trust them with it. 

    • 13
      picture of a cute black kitten
      via Unsplash / Haley Owens - haleyo

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

    • 14
      hamster004 Sounds like they want to resell the cat to someone else. Corre tion: Don't block them. That gives you evidence of harassment and of the grift.
      via hamster004
    • Advertisement
    • 15
      Jillber517 Do not pay them more money or give the cat back. If this was a money concern this would have been negotiated when the cat was initially handed over. If you reimbursed the adoption fee and basic costs, you owe nothing else. It sounds like you tried to handle this with compassion and now they're not showing any consideration for you. I think you need to be firm and just block them and say goodbye.
      via Jillber517
    • 16
      picture of a cute black kitten
      via Unsplash / Haley Owens - haleyo

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

    • 17
      Grant Winner_Extra I once sold a couch to someone and their kid tried to get me to take it back the next day. This reminds me of the situation; seller is unwell, possibly addicted, is clearly pushing the mark for any sympathy or money. The best thing you can do is to stop responding.
      via Grant_Winner_Extra
    • Advertisement
    • 18
      Fromdawn2dusk This isn't about the cat, it's about money. Maybe they had someone offer them more money, and since you won't give it back, they decided to ask you for more money. I agree with everyone else. Block them. You owe them nothing. I'm sure your new kitty is happy and healthy, that's all that matters.
      via Fromdawn2dusk
    • 19
      Top-Butterfly-9582 NTA - tell them to back off or you will file a police report. You adopted her fair and square and sending her back into this chaotic environment is not going to happen.
      via Top-Butterfly-9582

    Tags

    cat adoption heartwarming cute adopted story Cats rescue
    Like
    Scroll Down For The Next Article
    Show Comments

    Also From I Can Has Cheezburger?

    30 of the Funniest and Freshest Feline Tweets to Fill Your Week With Pawsitivity (January 19, 2026)

    30 of the Funniest and Freshest Feline Tweets to Fill Your Week With Pawsitivity (January 19, 2026)
    Next Article