Woman Stopping for Gas Discovers She Has a Fluffy Stowaway in Back Seat

A video of a woman who found an unexpected feline passenger in her car while driving to get fuel has gone viral on TikTok.

The footage was shared by @quietcatlady and has received 2.1 million views since it was shared three days ago. A message overlaid on the video says: "POV [point of view]: You leave your windows rolled down...then drive to get gas and notice this."

In a later comment, the poster said: "For everyone wondering, yes, i will be keeping her! she is mineeee." The footage shows a cat sitting on top of the car's back seat, staring at the camera.

A caption shared with the post says: "She did not offer gas money."

What to Do if You Come Across a Stray Cat

Across the country, there are an estimated 30 million to 40 million community cats, an umbrella term for strays and feral cats, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

The poster's desire to bring home the feline she found in her car is understandable because "the temptation to rescue a stray cat can be strong," José Arce, the president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, told Newsweek in May 2022.

However, Arce advised that you must be cautious when approaching an unknown feline, as it may be fearful and any attempts to capture it could lead to injuries to you or the animal.

The Humane Society says that strays may be friendly and approach you for food or attention, while others may be too scared to let you get close. "But they will usually eat immediately if you put food down for them."

Should you come across an unknown, uncollared cat, "it's important to remember that someone else might be missing that cat," Arce said.

You'll need to verify whether it is "truly a stray or simply a neighborhood resident making the rounds," he said.

The vet also pointed out that an uncollared cat isn't necessarily a stray. "Many owned cats do not wear collars and should be left alone. They are typically not lost and will find their own way home," he said.

Once you've checked the cat for a microchip but can't find an owner, you can decide to take the cat on yourself, says the U.K.-based Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"Adopting any cat is a big responsibility," Catie Cryar, a spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, previously told Newsweek.

"Potential adopters should first ensure that they have the time, space and resources needed to provide a cat with lifelong affection, food and veterinary care," she added.

'You Have Been Chosen'

TikTok users adored the cat found in the car. Alistair said: "I think the cat has claimed you, you're gonna have to keep em."

Alex wrote: "You have been chosen!" and @fritzimagicalstitch said, "He adopted you."

Allan Marsh659 said the cat must have been saying, "You are mine now," while nessa asked, "Why doesn't this happen to me?"

Perri Jones said: "I'm so sick of the cat distribution system choosing everyone but me."

Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.

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