“I hope you know this cat is mine now and he won’t be anyone else’s”: New neighbor stakes claim on beloved neighborhood cat days before vet visit, sparking drama over custody

This situation is less meowgical neighborhood tale and more cat custody crisis and it’s giving major hissteria. The poster’s story centers around a charming, free-roaming neighborhood cat who’s basically the feline version of a community garden: beloved by many, owned by none. For four years, this family has acted as the unofficial pawrents by handling food, vet bills, and porch snuggles while this social butterfly tomcat makes his rounds through the block like a true meowyor of the streets.

Enter the new neighbor, who starts out friendly but soon reveals some catastrophic red flags. Not only does he start hoarding the cat indoors, but he literally lets the cat loose right before a planned surgery, after being explicitly told not to, just to claim ownership. Then he drops the line, “He’s mine now,” like this is some feline turf war. Fur real?

Now the vibe is less community and more catnapping. For a feline who thrives on freedom and friendships, this isn’t just ruffling fur. It’s rearranging his whole routine. Hopefully the neighborhood can come together and make sure this whiskered wanderer stays just that: free to wander.

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