‘The thought of leaving and never seeing him again absolutely breaks my heart’:12-year-old tabby Rupert finds love and peace with chosen neighbors who must decide to take him when they move or leave him at his neglectful home

This purrplexing predicament has all the makings of a modern feline fairy tale. Rupert, a 12-year-old tabby, has unofficially relocated himself next door, ditching his official home full of chaos, screaming kids, and barely-there flea care. His owner, though lovely, is overwhelmed and has long accepted that Rupert prefers the quieter, comfier life with the neighbors and would probably give a paws-up if they asked to take him permanently.

Now, as the couple is preparing to move just five minutes away, they’re torn. Should they take Rupert, who clearly adores them and their two cats, or leave him in the only territory he’s ever known? He’s grown close to their little feline family, even if he sometimes turns into a spray machine indoors. Still, compared to the loud kids he hides from and the outdoor flea life he endures, their quiet new home might just be a catnip dream.

He may not have come with adoption papers, but emotionally? Rupert already chose his humans. Seems like it’s time to make it official and pack the cat.

Fluff. Chaos. Drama! Our weekly cat newsletter has it all –  subscribe here.