Man Ties Up Cat in Shelter’s Lobby Then Leaves, and It’s All Caught on CCTV

An animal welfare group based in London shared footage of a cat being abandoned in its lobby as a stark reminder that these incidents are “all too common.”

The TikTok video posted to the account @themayhew on December 4 included security camera footage from June 14, when Elrond, the cat, was tied up in the reception area by his owner. The owner took off without Elrond and left through the front doors in a hurry. Those working at The Mayhew rushed to the cat’s side, picking him up and comforting him.

“The person who brought him in left before we could ascertain any information about Elrond, the circumstances that led to him being abandoned or get any contact details,” Olivia Patt, head of engagement, told Newsweek via email.

The Mayhew, an animal welfare and veterinary charity, immediately took Elrond into their care, as they do for every abandoned animal on their doorstep. They gave him vaccinations, flea and worming treatment and neutered and microchipped him.

For the next four weeks, Elrond stayed at their London facility until he was adopted. Patt said he is now “living his best life in a very loving home.”

As heartbreaking as the TikTok video was, hundreds rushed to the comment section, thankful that the owner at least left the cat in a safe place.

“We don’t know that person’s circumstances, hope the kitty finds a loving home,” a viewer commented.

“He brought the cat to you because he cares enough about it and done the right thing, I can only imagine how difficult this decision was for him. I would bet everything he went home & broke his heart,” another person commented.

“I don’t know how anyone can just walk away like that! But yer at least he’s in a safe place,” said one TikToker.

Rising Rates of Abandonment

Animal shelters globally are experiencing an influx of surrendered pets or stray animals. Reasons for this include behavioral issues, allergies, increased cost of pet supplies or veterinarian bills, moving or new additions to the family. For many, it’s a gut-wrenching decision, so many shelters or organizations try helping by offering solutions or donations to help families keep their pets.

“The number of abandonments Mayhew has seen at our shelter in London has skyrocketed in 2024,” Patt said. “Staff and volunteers regularly find animals left outside the building or have animals left in reception.”

The demand for Mayhew services has surged over the last few years. Year on year, Mayhew has seen a 60 percent increase in stray and sign-over help requests, Patt said.

Mayhew has had a “cat crisis” over the last year. A press release from the charity earlier this year, shared with Newsweek, stated that cats and kittens are being left outside the building or in their reception “almost daily.”

Over the past year, Mayhew received over 1,000 requests from owners to give up their cats and kittens. There have been another 600 requests to take in strays. The team helped rehome 425 felines; however, the demand for the charity’s services “far outstrips” their capacity.

The situation has become “overwhelming” as the number of cats in need continues to rise though the rate of people wanting to adopt falls.