A Texas woman was shocked to discover that her cat had been spending time with an entirely different family when she let him out at night. “New neighborhood, new family??” she wrote, captioning a video with over 3.7 million views that shows a note she got back from “the other family.”
Claudia (@claudia.qx), a 23-year-old from the Lone Star State, noticed her cat returned with a little neon yellow note attached to him after exploring outside for a while. The note read, “Is he someone’s cat? What’s his name? He’s been hanging out with us.” She said she noticed that whenever her cat went outside, he would “go all excited,” leaving her baffled at the idea that he had a “second family.”
Many commenters joked that her cat was “cheating on her” or “glad to see other people,” although some expressed concern that another family could grab her orange tomcat before she even knew it.
Cats and ‘cheating’
Many people are aware of the stereotype that outdoor or semi-outdoor cats “cheat” or visit neighbors. Some articles have cited the species’ curious nature and drive for exploration as one reason why cats enjoy spending time with other people.
Another reason, a commenter pointed out, is food. Neighbors are often the type to offer “additional” dinners to cats that show up on their doorstep, thinking they hadn’t already eaten.
How to make sure your cat doesn’t wander away
Some commenters warned Claudia that she should keep track of her cat to prevent him from wandering off entirely.
“So for the people who leave their animals outside, you’re not concerned someone might steal or hurt them? Why do y’all do this?” one person added.
One way to reduce the risk of losing a cat is to have them microchipped. That way, if an unsuspecting person finds your feline, they know where to bring them back.
If you do let your cat outside, it’s important that the area is safe with minimal risks. Generally, it isn’t a good idea to let cats outdoors if you live near highways or other dangerous areas.
Letting a cat outside during daylight hours can also help keep them safe. It’s easier to spot a cat if they get lost, and more resources are available to help recover them. Nighttime brings additional risks from wildlife and other hazards that cats are more likely to encounter.
@claudia.qx new neighborhood, new family???? #fyp #viral #catsoftiktok ♬ original sound – ?
The Mary Sue has reached out to Claudia for more information.
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