Hysterics Over What Owner Always Finds Orange Cat Doing to the Neighbors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A montage video of a cat performing his "nosy" neighborly duties left Instagram users cracking up.
As naturally curious animals, cats enjoy knowing everything that is happening within their surroundings. This curiosity stems from felines' long history of being hunters, an article from PangoVet stated. To be successful in the wild, cats needed to be constantly on the lookout for predators and prey, relying on their senses to pick up clues about their environment, which has carried over to the life of a house cat now.
Owners might see them inspecting the grocery bags as soon as you walk inside, or perhaps your cats constantly look out the window into the neighborhood. But one orange cat took it a step further by actively looking into the neighbor's yard daily.
The owner shared in an April 27 Instagram video under the account @maple.and.pumpkin a montage of all the times Pumpkin dedicates his time to his favorite hobby: sneaking a peek at the neighbor's yard.
Pumpkin uses two methods to perform his neighborhood watch. To get an aerial view, he'll hang from the top of the fence with his front paws clinging for life. Other times, he'll stay on the ground and use peepholes or slits in the fence boards to look into the neighbor's yard.
Pumpkin's sole focus is on one neighbor—a cat. The owner told Newsweek via Instagram that Pumpkin is "obsessed" with the neighbor's cat. He'll spend all day watching her every move. But unfortunately, the fascination is not mutual.
"She hates him," the owner said. "But she doesn't like other cats."
Screenshots from an April 27 Instagram video of an orange cat being a "nosy neighbor" by peering over the fence into the other yard.
Screenshots from an April 27 Instagram video of an orange cat being a "nosy neighbor" by peering over the fence into the other yard.
@maple.and.pumpkin/Instagram
Despite not being admired by the neighbor's cat, Pumpkin doesn't stop trying to win her over. He still goes outside to keep tabs on her.
The caption reads: "Forever spying."
As of Wednesday, the Instagram video amassed over 3 million views, and people couldn't get over Pumpkin's dedication. Many defended his stalking habits.
"God forbid he surveys his territory," commented one viewer.
Another added: "He takes his job seriously. I can't get over him hanging on the fence!"
A third person demanded: "Now drill 500 peepholes in the fence."
The owner responded: "...The fence panel with his favourite spying spot broke, so the neighbours replaced the panel. I'm going to have to definitely make some holes for him to continue his obsession with their cat."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
13 hours ago
- Newsweek
Dog Kept Covering One Power Outlet, Then Owner Realized He Was Warning Them
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A pet parent who noticed the dog obsessing over a specific power outlet took to Reddit for answers and quickly realized the canine might've saved the day. The owner's dog, Draco, started taking a special interest in one of the power outlets in the hallway. He would pull any item he could find—pillows, blankets, toys—to the outlet, trying to cover the opening. What concerned the owner was that Draco only did it to this specific outlet. Seeking advice, the owner posted an example of this strange habit to a subreddit channel r/DogAdvice earlier this month. The post explained that Draco keeps trying to cover this specific outlet with whatever he can find, with the hope that someone would have an explanation. In the clip the owner shared, Draco used his nose to pull the blanket up toward the outlet. But, of course, the blanket never stayed up, forcing him to continue this motion. The dog was determined to protect the house from whatever could be happening behind the wall. Screenshots from a June 14 Reddit post of a dog trying to cover an electrical outlet with a blanket. Screenshots from a June 14 Reddit post of a dog trying to cover an electrical outlet with a blanket. ThinkPension2161/Reddit People immediately took to the comment section of the Reddit post, which reached over 17,000 upvotes, offering their advice and suggestions. The comments gave the owner a realization; this could be a signal from Draco. Turns out, Redditors were right. The owner told Newsweek via Reddit messenger that the outlet wiring turned out to be "bad." "It's an old house which makes sense," the owner said. "My landlord just had an electrician basically cut it out of the circuit. That circuit went to three different rooms, so leaving that outlet dead was the easiest solution for now." One Reddit user asked if the dog stopped pawing at the outlet once it was turned off. The owner replied: "He's completely ignoring it like the other outlets in my house." Another added: "Dogs are amazing at sensing things we can't. I'd be getting in an electrician to check and maybe calling Ghostbusters too." A third person commented: "Good job mate, and give doggo lots of treats if he/she did (or did not) save the day!" The owner shared in a follow-up post that the electrical issue has not come up again since. And for Draco's excellent warning and saving the house, he was rewarded. He picked out new toys and treats. Part of the post reads: "I am so thankful for all the kind comments and helpful advice. I'm so glad that I was able to get this issue fixed before anything worse happened..." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
16 hours ago
- Newsweek
Shelter Shows Sad Reality Owners Don't See After Surrendering Their Pet
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An animal shelter has shown the heartbreaking scenes owners giving up their pet don't get to witness. The Humane Animal Treatment Society (HATS), a non-profit welfare organization which provides animal care, adoption and spay and neutering services, has gained a lot of online attention after showcasing what happens behind the scenes when a pet is surrendered. In a video to their TikTok account @hatsmtp1 on June 21, viewed more than 2.3 million times, they showed "what you don't see after you surrender your pet," as a fluffy gray cat hides inside a litter box after being surrendered by his family. They wrote in a caption that Smokey the cat "spent the day hiding in his litter box, terrified and crying out for his family"—and sure enough, the distressed cat repeatedly lets out high-pitched, long meows, while appearing to try and make himself as small as possible. "Smokey's story is, unfortunately, not uncommon," a spokesperson for the Michigan-based rescue told Newsweek. Smokey the cat hides in his litter box after being surrendered to a shelter by his family. Smokey the cat hides in his litter box after being surrendered to a shelter by his family. TikTok @hatsmtp1 "While every animal reacts differently to being surrendered, many experience deep distress and confusion—especially in the early days. They've lost the familiarity of their home, their routine, and most importantly, the people they trusted. "No matter how much we work to create a calm and caring environment, a shelter can never fully replicate the feeling of 'home.'" They added, however, that Smokey is beginning to open up, warming up to staff members "as we give him space, patience, and gentle encouragement," and he is "starting to show his sweet personality when he feels safe." There are myriad reasons a pet owner might give up their animal, the MATS spokesperson said—they may not have understood a breed or the long-term commitment when they first get an animal. "I'd say this is the case for a lot of our surrender intakes at our facility. We have many animals at or under only a year or two old," they admitted. There are also, however, beloved pets forced to be surrendered due to "heartbreaking, unforeseen life changes—like illness, eviction, or financial hardship—that leave them with no other option." "We don't believe in judging individuals for their circumstances. Our goal with the video was never to shame, but to raise awareness of what animals go through during such transitions. They are sentient beings who feel grief, confusion, and longing." Smokey's video prompted a rush of support from animal lovers, who awarded the clip more than 355,000 likes, one writing: "It makes me even sadder cause he doesn't understand why this happened." "This completely destroyed me eternally," another admitted, as another asked: "How can someone just abandon their family member?" And while many shared their anger at whoever gave Smokey up, or could surrender any animal, one pointed out the owner could have "had to give the cat up because of a terminal illness. "Not everyone is cruel and cold-hearted when they give up a pet, sometimes they have no choice," they wrote. HATS believes society needs to "shift toward more responsible pet ownership", from spaying and neutering to properly researching a breed, avoiding puppy mills and impulse purchases, and asking plenty of questions about an animal's personality and quirks if adopting from a shelter. Read more Saddest reason family had to surrender dog they loved "so much" Saddest reason family had to surrender dog they loved "so much" "For those who do choose to go through a breeder, it's critical to work with ethical breeders who conduct health testing, participate in titling, breed to breed standard—no 'exotic' or 'rare' colors or designer mixes—and require a return-to-breeder contract to ensure animals don't end up in shelters," they said. "When rehoming is truly necessary, we encourage people to exhaust all other options first—such as arranging temporary care with a friend, seeking help for behavioral issues, or responsibly rehoming with someone they trust—before turning to a shelter." In 2024 alone, 5.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues across the United States, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). An estimated 4.2 million shelter animals were adopted, including 2.2 million cats, however there is an ongoing capacity crisis limiting space for new animals. "Our community plays a vital role in supporting this mission," the HATS spokesperson told Newsweek. "Donations, volunteer time, fostering, and advocacy help us continue to provide second chances to animals like Smokey every single day." For more information on Smokey, or any other of HATS' animals, visit their website. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
18 hours ago
- Newsweek
Moment 4-Year-Old Who Was Homeless Sees Where He Lives Now: 'Overwhelming'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A boy who lived in a homeless shelter for 14 months has seen his new home for the first time, leaving internet users in tears. Casey posted a clip on TikTok (@autumpoetry) of her 4-year-old's reaction as she opened the door. "I felt sad when he saw the living room and was hesitant to explore," the single mom told Newsweek. "I think he believed that the other rooms weren't ours since we lived out of one room for as long as he could remember." Split view of woman turning key in apartment lock and 4-year-old boy wearing green coat. Split view of woman turning key in apartment lock and 4-year-old boy wearing green coat. @autumpoetry Casey and Josiah had spent 14 months living at Clare House, a Lancaster, Pennsylvania–based shelter that serves single mothers and their children. Before entering Clare House, Casey, whose epilepsy prevents her from being able to drive, had been living with her father in a rural part of Pennsylvania. The "unpredictable" bus routes made it impossible to find steady work, so she turned to the city to seek better access to employment and long-term stability. Her first shelter placement was part of an education-focused program, but she wasn't permitted to work while staying there. Eventually, she was welcomed back to Clare House. "I had an amazing experience," Casey said. "We had Monday night meetings where we would learn life skills, such as meditation and cooking. They helped me stay on budget... set goals and reach them. But more than that they were a shoulder to cry on when things were overwhelming and tough." After getting on a waitlist for income-based housing, Casey waited six months before finally getting the call. The process was intense: background checks, income verification, credit checks, and rental history screenings. On October 15, 2024, Casey and Josiah moved into their new home. "I nearly cried," Casey said. "That night I flipped a box upside down and we ate our McDonalds meal on the box." An initial hesitant Josiah started to become more confident, exploring the apartment and eventually sleeping in his own room after months of adjusting. "[He] has become a very independent little guy," Casey told Newsweek. Casey's heartwarming clip has been viewed 3.4 million times and received thousands of comments, with many asking how they could help. "I'm balling at how he didn't want to leave your side," one user wrote. "His curiosity is so innocent and I know how proud you must feel momma," another commented. Since sharing her story, Casey told Newsweek that many people have been so generous as to buy toys for Josiah's upcoming fifth birthday. She also set up a GoFundMe page to help the pair find a "forever" home. "I am still in shock over all of this," she said. "It's overwhelming but in the best way." As Josiah prepares to start kindergarten in August, Casey is focused on paying off credit card debt—she expects to be debt-free by February. "I hope to slowly begin saving for a house in the city but money is very tight so that will take several year," she told Newsweek. "I hope to start selling my art to make more income so that I can save for a house... I used to love it."
