Going off to college is always an emotional journey. You’re starting a new chapter of your life which involves a whole new world of opportunity, but also leaving some things behind.

For Reddit user nexerxe, that included being separated from their beloved cat, Spotty.

But they left the kitty in the care of their parents while they went off to study, assuming she would be well taken care of.

The owner had every intention of bringing Spotty to college with them eventually but had to wait until their second year of college to live off-campus where a cat would be allowed. Just two months before they had planned to move the cat in with them again, they got some terrible shocking news.

Their parents had decided to give Spotty away to another home… without even warning them.

Nexerxe had a historically tumultuous relationship with their parents, who had been emotionally abusive all their lives. But they never expected them to do something this cruel.

They had adopted the cat when they were 16 and taken good care of it until going off to college.

They couldn’t believe what had happened, but wouldn’t accept that Spotty was gone forever. They turned to the internet for advice and hoped for the best.

“My mom called me today and after a bunch of bullsh** told me that they gave away my kitten and that they refuse to tell me where,” nexerxe wrote to Reddit.

The post went viral with more than 60k shocked readers around the world doing what they could to help. They offered suggestions like calling shelters, the police, vet offices, and making lost cat signs.

Nexerxe had tried to track Spotty’s chip but to no avail.

Eventually, by some miracle, they were able to find Spotty at a local shelter.

But there were still adoption fees to be paid and those fees aren’t cheap!

Especially for a broke college student. So Nexerxe opened a GoFundMe campaign and hoped for the best.

Some generous donors made it all happen, and not only did Nexerxe meet their goal, but they exceeded it.

The extra donations must have gone to some cat treats and other supplies to spoil Spotty after that horrible ordeal!

They were finally able to go to the shelter and pick up their long lost best friend.

Nexerxe had shared some emotional background information on what life was like at home before they left for college, and how important Spotty was to them.

“In one of my fathers rare nice moments he agreed to let me adopt a cat, under the terms that I would take care of her. I was 16. I took care of the cat, and the cat was my only friend when shit hit the fan at home, I often cried with the cat.”

It’s unbearable to imagine losing a pet in any case, let alone one that had been with you through such tough times.

Nexerxe shared their emotional rollercoaster of a story with updates along the way to the subreddit /r/cats and /r/insaneparents. (Rightfully so!)

“Meet Spotty. My parents gave her away without telling me, so I hunted her down, and with the help of friends and kind internet strangers I adopted her today!”

The people of Reddit couldn’t believe the good news, and sent love from around the world.

We’re so relieved the two of them were reunited again!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: Reddit/nererxe, Bored Panda