‘Crazy’ couple wrote an awkward letter to neighbors about 'stealing' a stray cat they were feeding — the cat’s other family responded

Her easy affection made the couple wonder if she already had an owner who simply let her roam outdoors.

PUBLISHED 6 HOURS AGO

(L) A black and white stray cat near food bowl. (R) Couple reading a letter. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Chalabala, (R) Hispanolistic)

Concern for a small black-and-white cat slowly turned into an unusual neighborhood exchange after a Utah couple decided to adopt it. For weeks, they had been feeding a friendly feline who kept showing up at their home, and they feared winter would be too harsh for her. Unsure if the animal already belonged to someone nearby, they chose a careful approach. A handwritten letter was shared on Facebook on December 16, 2025, describing their worry about 'stealing' a cat they had grown attached to while simply trying to do the right thing.

Woman feeding lonely adorable cat on the street. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images |Tunatura)

Lucy Jackman lives with her husband, Ryan, in Utah, where cold weather can be unforgiving, especially during winter nights. As reported by Newsweek on Thursday, December 18, 2025, Lucy said the cat first appeared when she “ran straight” up to their car one evening after they returned home. “She was extremely loving and happy,” Lucy explained, adding that the tuxedo cat was “a bit thin” but did not appear sick or injured. At first, the couple believed she was just a neighborhood cat who wandered around freely. However, her visits became more frequent, with the cat showing up almost every night and waiting calmly on their porch.

Teenage girl writing letter. (Representative Image Source: Pexels| Julia Cameron) — Woman writing letter. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Julia Cameron)

Concern for the cat’s safety became part of their daily routine. “Even if it’s midnight and she shows up, we go outside to pet her and make sure she’s safe [and] fed,” Lucy told the outlet. Ryan decided to buy a heated outdoor house to protect her from freezing temperatures and placed it on their porch. They also used their porch camera to check when she arrived, ensuring they could provide her with love and care whenever she was present. Despite all this care, the couple hesitated to bring her inside. Her friendly behavior made them believe she might already belong to someone who allowed her outdoors.

A black cat sitting on a ground (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Photo by EVG Kowalievska)

That question seemed closer to being answered when they spotted the cat near a neighbor's house with a garage door left slightly open. Thinking the door might be open for her, they wrote a letter explaining their situation. The couple first introduced themselves and then mentioned, “We also noticed you had your garage door cracked open one morning, and she seemed to be familiar with your driveway. We would like to know if she belongs to you before we start taking her in for the winter. If she is yours, please tell us his/her name. We love the little thing, but we don't want to be ‘cat’ burglars,” the letter read, ending with, “Your crazy neighbors who may possibly be trying to steal your cat.”

A couple sitting on a couch with a cat (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Vlada Karpovich)

The neighbors later replied by text, reassuring them. They explained they had also been feeding the stray and leaving food, water, and shelter in the garage. They confirmed she was a stray and said they were happy she would have a warm home for the winter. The couple later shared they would "be slowly working on her trust to get her safe for the holidays." The heartwarming incident also received a lot of attention online, to which they responded they were simply "blown away," adding, "People really wanted to know her story!"