My neighbors left their sweet orange cat, Jorts, out in freezing rain again last weekend—third time in a month. Saw him shivering under their car at 2 AM, and I just… lost it.
Texted them before? Yeah. They replied “He’s an outdoor cat lol.” Bro, it was 20°F. So Sunday morning? I grabbed Jorts, bought a carrier from Petco, and drove him straight to my sister’s farm. He’s thriving there now—sleeping in a heated shed, chasing chickens, living his best life.
But here’s the messy part:
When they knocked asking if I’d seen him, I deadass said, “Nope, maybe coyotes got him.” Didn’t report anything. Just ghosted them. My sister called me a cat vigilante. My partner high-fived me. And Jorts? He purrs like a motorcycle now… but I’m low-key sweating if I took it too far.
So, lay it on me: AITAH for rescuing Jorts and trolling my neighbors?
Comments
NTA. Not even close. You rescued a neglected animal from people who were clearly unfit to own a pet. You are a hero
honestly your neighbors sound like the type of people who shouldnt have pets in the first place – leaving a cat outside in freezing weather is basically abandonment and you probably saved jorts life
You did a good thing. Just look out for the next cat they get. NTA.
Oh chat gpt
You’re not the asshole. You absolutely did the right thing!
Same for denying it. You don’t need a war with your neighbors, and while you probably were in the right legally the exact process might not have been (all depending on jurisdiction and context).
Just, I would add that when one does things like this, they have to be sure. And I do mean, 110% totally sure. Because I’ve seen people make a fuss, start very bad rumors, or even call the cops on someone having a husky in their garden in a blizzard. Not knowing the dog is made for it, and actually demanded to be let out to play in the snow for hours and hours.
And some normal animals can be weird. I had a cat when I was living in Paris that demanded to be let out in front of the window (i.e. outside), and would take hour long naps there… when it was -3 or -4°C. Short hair regular cat, he just loved the cold.
Obviously not the case here, doubly so given the lack of answer from the neighbor, just be careful in the future to consider all angles.
NTA. you did what you had to do to protect the cat. You’re a hero, and Jorts is living his best life.
Nta, but the question is if he is chipped. Vet offices routinely check for chips and will call the registered owner, which might make trouble for your sister.
NTA. You probably saved that cats life. Also, sort of similar story to how my parents got one of their cats, and they aren’t the AH so you aren’t either.
This cat (we will call him Tank) wandered 11.8 km to my parents place (I google mapped it, and that’s through the country, so bears, coyotes, etc.) one summer. My parents caught him, posted about him online, the owner came with her son to get the cat. She THREW this cat into her vehicle, was rude and sped off.
Two weeks later, the cat was back. They took the cat to the vet, told the vet what happened, the vet said: “Guess it’s your cat now”. Cat lives his best life, hunting mice, being the “boss” of the other animals and the household, etc. Original Owner never posted a single thing about the cat being missing online, never contacted my parents to see if the cat had wandered there, etc.
Cats choose their people. Sounds like that cat is perfectly happy and content living his new best life with people who love him.
NTA. You saved that poor baby’s life. “Outdoor cats” can still freeze to death.
I like you.
NTA at all omfg you literally saved his life.
your neighbours suck major fucking balls.
Yes you are an asshole. But I’m glad you are. The cat is better off.
Where in the world was it 20F last weekend in a country that uses Fahrenheit?
NTA. May blessings shower upon you and yours, and Jorts.
You are a hero and Jorts is a lucky cat
NTA
Some people just don’t deserve to have a cat
You did the right thing
NTA just love the have you seen Jorts? NOPE, not at all.
This statement is true you haven’t seen Jorts. They never asked if you knew where he was which would’ve been the one to ask.
Nope haven’t seen him, lol today, maybe this weekend who knows. Jorts thanks OP everyday for the country life he has been given.
Unchipped, uncollared, outside? Not privately owned.
i once found a cat in a stairwell in my apt building. he was in BAAAAAD shape. we found new owners who took him to a vet. poor guy had a broken jaw, parasites and impacted bowels. the new owners couldn’t even afford to help him. the vet actually adopted him and saved him on his own dime and time.
people knocked looking for him the next day and i was just like “dunno. ask the super. i left him where i found him.”
she goes “he was a cat for my son, who is sick.” and i was like, “hm well, he seemed injured and super sick himself, so maybe your son wasn’t taking very good care of him.” and i shut the door and i refuse to feel guilty about it.
When you see Jorts, please give him a scritch behind the ears and tell him it’s from an Internet stranger. Also NTA
You did the right thing giving him not only a better life, but a life.
Sometime being the asshole and doing the right thing are one and the same.
Where I live, outdoor cats are coyote food.
NTA. Not one bit.
NTA. You are a rescuer. Well done.
A good reminder to all that CATS SHOULD NOT GO OUTSIDE (unless they’re on a leash with their human). I’m not getting into the myriad reasons, but Google it or ask a vet if you don’t believe me.
NTA, way way way NTA!
>Texted them before? Yeah. They replied “He’s an outdoor cat lol.” Bro, it was 20°F.
Where was this? Antarctica might be the only place it would this cold in July.
NTA. I’m happy for Jorts! He sounds like he’s living his best life.. warm, dry, fed and LOVED.
Bless you. Your sis can ….I can’t say that on here, but use your imagination.
NTA
When I was a kid in the 1970s in Anchorage the neighbors had this sweet little black and white kitten that they totally neglected. It would steal food from our big black lab dog. They ended up being best pals. Later that year we move across town and took the cat with us. After all, we’d been feeding her and took her to the vet. Didn’t hear a peep from the former owners. Eff them. You’re NTA and neither were we. My dad loved that cat. It was a great outcome.
NTA You did good
NTA. You did the right thing.
High five. I am amazed that they noticed the cat is gone. I dognapped a JR ten years ago. Took him to the shelter to see if he would be missed. After 6 weeks he officially became mine.
Nope. Your a fine human being.
NTA. When they asked you have no idea where he is.
He could be in the barn, sleeping or chasing chickens. You aren’t clairvoyant in the present
NTA. We stole a neighbors cat for the very same reason. He’s indoor/outdoor so he could go to his original home anytime. So maybe I didn’t steal him so much as he chose us.
NTA. Good for you. Never let him out again. He’s your baby now and deserves the good life.
NTAH- that’s animal neglect. They make heated cat huts for strays/ outdoor cats, the family could have bought him one to keep him comfy. You saved him from freezing to death. Yes some animals just don’t like to be inside, but as the owner of a pet, you’re responsible to keep it safe and healthy. Thank you for bringing him to a better place.
NTA. Jorts wasn’t really their cat because if he was he wouldn’t have been out in the rain and weather. So, clear your conscience.
My daughter’s first dog, as an adult, is one she straight up “kidnapped” from a neglectful owner/friend. He was originally a stray that followed the friend home. Hadn’t been to the vet, had weeping sores on his neck, so skinny you could see his ribs. She kept telling him to take the poor thing to the vet. Guy always had excuses why he couldn’t. Friend ended up staying with some other friends and my daughter had access to the dog when the guy wasn’t there. She went and grabbed the dog and took him to our vet.
Our vet was an awesome dude. If you brought in a rescue,he pretty much did everything at his cost. Basically, waived his fees. So, she got the sores treated, got all his shots, had him tested for heartworms (positive), got him treated for the heartworms and got him neutered…all for around $300-350. When the friend said he could pay that and he wanted his dog back, she pretty much told him to kick rocks and she wasn’t giving the dog back since the dog would have died if she hadn’t taken him.
Within a few short weeks, he was a completely different dog. Bouncy and energetic, affectionate instead of terrified and well fed. And he absolutely idolized our daughter until the day he crossed the rainbow bridge about 12 years later.
And to this day, she is completely unapologetic about “stealing” her first dog.
In my opinion, no, you didn’t go too far. They don’t deserve to own pets.
NTA. Better on the farm than spread across the pavement or frozen.