A pet owner’s relief at the return of their lost cat turned to frustration when the individual who found the animal demanded reimbursement for expenses before agreeing to return it.
The original poster (OP), Reddit user Conscious_Document_2, shared their experience on r/mildlyinfuriating, recounting how their cat, Jackie, had recently managed to escape from the house.
The following day, the OP was thrilled to receive a message from a stranger claiming they had found Jackie. However, things took an unexpected twist when the person requested money for the pet supplies they had supposedly purchased for the cat.
According to the OP’s post, the individual even visited the OP’s home but refused to return Jackie unless they received immediate payment.
“I ended up contacting the police (non-emergency) because I was so upset, and they told me to send them the case number & urge them to call & give their information just so that there would be a record of the incident,” the OP explained.
“Maybe it scared them, or they realized I wouldn’t pay, but they ignored me, and the next morning, when I walked my dog, my cat was back outside.”
Though Jackie was initially “spooked” and ran away, she eventually made her way back home later that day, settling into her favorite kitchen chair.
Unfortunately, this type of situation is not uncommon. The Humane Society notes that pet ransom scams are a well-known issue, where people claim to have found an animal but demand payment before returning it.
The organization advises pet owners to be cautious when dealing with unknown contacts and to ask for proof of life before offering any compensation.
For those with missing pets, experts recommend checking local shelters, posting on neighborhood networks, and being wary of strangers claiming to have found the animal.
A guide by 3 Retrievers Lost Pet Rescue highlights that lost cats often remain nearby instead of straying far. Most will return home if given time and a familiar, accessible entry point—something that worked in this case when the OP left the front door open.
Reddit users were quick to react, with many questioning the validity of the finder’s story. “Who finds a lost cat and immediately buys pet bowls and toys?” one user wrote, while others speculated that the situation was an extortion attempt. “They were trying to scam you into paying for food for their cat!” another commented.
Some even suggested that the stranger had never intended to return the pet, with one user remarking, “No no, he’s starting with $85. If OP agrees to pay, the price will mysteriously go up.”
While Jackie’s return was a relief, the OP voiced their lingering frustration with the ordeal. “I’m still so angry lol. I guess it could’ve been worse, but wtf man,” they concluded.
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