Neighbor's Brazen Attempt To 'Adopt' Dad's Cat Sparks Concern
On edge after receiving unsettling messages from a neighbor attempting to take his beloved cat Severus."
Theo Droushiotis, a 42-year-old father, finds himself in a bewildering situation as his neighbor makes audacious attempts to take ownership of his cherished one-year-old cat, Severus. The neighbor's insistence, coupled with bizarre messages claiming a preference for their family, leaves Theo unsettled and concerned for his pet's safety and well-being.
A father is worried about his cat being taken after a bold neighbor attempted to "forcefully" adopt his cherished pet. Theo Droushiotis shares that his one-year-old black cat, Severus, often spends his days charming people passing by and innocently exploring neighboring gardens for attention.
However, Theo's concern heightened when he received an unusual text message on Wednesday (Sep 14) from someone expressing a desire to adopt Severus, despite being aware that he already had a loving owner.
The neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed Severus spent a lot of time in their garden bonding with their daughter and seemed to prefer their home. They boldly questioned Theo, who works daily and doesn't have children, about whether he had enough time for cats.
Despite Theo's assurance that Severus was a beloved family pet, the persistent neighbor refused to give up, ending with a vague "let's see how it all works out." Worried that Severus might be taken, Theo rushed home from work to check on him and has since put trackers on both Severus and his sister, Bellatrix.
The operations manager at a record label has decided to share the exchange to caution other cat owners about keeping a close watch on their sociable pets.
Theo, who resides in Enfield, North London, remarked, "Initially, I found it amusing, like 'the nerve!' But when they persisted and refused to accept no for an answer, saying 'we'll see how it goes,' I became concerned."
"I literally dropped everything and rushed home to bring him in. I ran home, and there was Severus, lying by the back door, purring away.
"He's just a very friendly cat, but that doesn't give anyone the right to take him. How dare they."
Theo and his partner adopted Severus and his sister Bellatrix, lovingly named after the Harry Potter characters, as kittens from a shelter.
Severus' sociable nature has led other neighbors to text Theo, informing him when the charming cat is in their garden. However, Theo reassures that Severus always comes back home in the evening.
"Now I'm concerned that my cat might be overly friendly, but there's not much I can do about it. He's just too sweet and greets everyone he meets," Theo explained.
Despite numerous messages from the mysterious neighbor, Theo remains steadfast, asserting that Severus is a cherished member of their family and not available for adoption.
Theo expressed frustration, stating, "What got to me was the 'you work all day and you don't have kids.' I do have kids, they just don't live with me anymore. But who are you to ask that? It's too intrusive."
Theo intends to track Severus' whereabouts using the Apple AirTag attached to his collar, enabling him to maintain the cat's freedom.
"People were suggesting to 'keep the cat indoors,' but you can't confine a cat after allowing them outdoor freedom for six months," he stated.
"The bottom line is he belongs to me, I adore him, and I take care of his vet expenses."
Davy
