A woman who has been feeding a stray cat for more than a year has captured TikTok’s attention after sharing a glimpse into their nightly ritual.
The clip, posted by user @grindw.ocy, quickly went viral with 1.3 million views. It shows the woman pulling into a parking lot, opening her passenger door and waiting as the tabby cat called Mausi hops inside for cuddles. Despite their connection, she explained in the comments that she cannot adopt the cat.
“I’m not working at the moment, so I wouldn’t be able to fully take care of Mausi financially,” she said. She also noted that she already has a cat who doesn’t get along with others.
Her situation reflects a growing challenge for many Americans. A Redfield & Wilton Strategies survey for Newsweek found that 72 percent of U.S. pet owners say the cost of caring for their animals has increased over the past year in 2024.
According to the American Pet Products Association, dog owners now spend about $1,400 a year on care, compared with $1,200 for cat owners. Rising expenses are creating financial strain: 43 percent of respondents said they are very or fairly concerned about affording their pet’s needs, while another 22 percent reported slight concern.
TikTok users were quick to express their feelings about Mausi’s situation.
One commenter asked, “How on earth can you put her back outside the car to sleep cold?”
Another wrote, “She is social and definitely not feral and clearly would love a home. If you are indeed hesitant to adopt her yourself, please give her the option of being in a loving home with someone—where she can be warm and loved all the time.”
A third urged: “You should really take her to a shelter. She’d get adopted quick, she’s so sweet. But she deserves more than just love every now and again, if you don’t plan to adopt then calling a local rescue is what you should do.”
The woman responded that her living situation also complicates adoption. She lives in an apartment on a main road and worries Mausi would feel confined. “I don’t want her to feel trapped,” she wrote. “I could let her go outside, but then I wouldn’t know when she would come back to open the door.”
What to Do When You Find a Lost Animal
The following tips have been provided by the American Humane Society:
- Approach carefully — Move slowly, speak gently and avoid chasing the animal, especially near traffic.
- Contain safely — Use a leash or improvised lead for dogs; place cats in a carrier, ventilated box or secure indoor space.
- Call authorities if needed — If the animal is aggressive or you cannot safely contain it, contact local animal control or police with the exact location.
- Check for ID — Look for tags and attempt to contact the owner. File a “found” report with your local shelter.
- Scan for a microchip — If no ID is visible, take the pet to a shelter or arrange for pickup so it can be scanned and potentially reunited with its owner.
Newsweek reached out to @grindw.ocy for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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