By skyforbes For context, I have a black cat named "Luna." She is a "void" cat- no white patches, just pure darkness and yellow eyes. She is strictly an indoor cat because she has zero survival instincts and is afraid of wind.
Tonight around 7 PM, I was taking the trash out and I guess the door didn't latch all the way. When I came back inside 20 minutes later to feed her, I couldn't find her. I did the usual "pspsps" and shook the treat bag. Nothing. I went into full panic mode. I grabbed a flashlight and ran outside.
I spent 15 minutes checking the bushes until I saw a pair of yellow eyes reflecting from under my neighbor's porch. I crawled under there, grabbed the cat (who was surprisingly docile but shivering), and dragged her out. I noticed immediately that she was limping and had a weird gash on her ear. I assumed she got into a fight with a raccoon or something.
I didn't even go back inside. I put her straight into the car and sped to the 24-hour emergency vet. I was crying the whole way, telling her I was so sorry I let her out. The vet took her back, cleaned the wound, gave her some antibiotics and pain meds, and did a quick check-up. The bill came out to $430. I slapped my credit card down, glad that my baby was safe.
We got home about an hour ago. I carried the carrier into the living room, set it down, and opened the door to let her out gently.
As the injured cat stepped out… MY cat, the real Luna, walked out from behind the sofa, yawned, and hissed at the intruder.
I froze. I looked at the cat I just spent $400 on. It’s a male. I don't own a male cat. I have accidentally kidnapped a stray (or worse, a neighbor's outdoor cat), paid for his medical care, and brought him into my house.
So now I have my cat, who is pissed off, and this imposter cat, who is high on painkillers and currently sleeping on my expensive rug. I have to go knock on doors tomorrow and ask if anyone is missing a black cat, and also explain why he is now shaved on one leg and smells like antiseptic.
TL;DR: Thought my indoor cat escaped, found a look-alike outside who was injured. Rushed it to the emergency vet and paid $400 to fix it up, only to bring it home and find my actual cat sleeping behind the couch. I am now the accidental owner of a second, very expensive cat.
EDIT: Why is everyone saying this is a bot/fake?? I wish I was a bot, then I wouldn't be out $400. To the people asking: No, I haven't found the owner yet, I posted on the neighborhood Nextdoor app. And yes, I'm keeping him if nobody claims him because I've literally already paid for his healthcare. He's currently sleeping in the bathroom so Luna doesn't murder him.