Viral stray cat Orange goes missing from Quezon City overpass

The tabby cat disappeared a day after going viral, raising fears that it may have been stolen or harmed.

A stray cat that became an overnight favorite on social media has vanished from its usual spot on a busy Quezon City overpass, with many netizens fearing it may have been stolen or harmed.

In a Threads post, users raved about the tabby cat, remarking on how healthy it looked despite having no apparent owner. The photo showed the cat, nicknamed Orange by netizens because of her color, resting beside a small pile of food pellets along the overpass.

The cat was reported missing the next day. Some netizens believe Orange may have been adopted after the original post went viral, while many others fear it may have been stolen.

“Ang hirap minsan magpost ng location, either nanakawin yung pusa or tatapunan ng bago. Sana naman makipagcoordinate kung sino man dumampot sa kanya,” wrote one user.

Animal welfare organizations encourage the adoption of stray animals instead of purchasing purebred dogs and cats to help curb stray animal populations in urban areas and promote responsible pet ownership.

However, some stray animals may already be under the care of their communities. When these community fixtures are suddenly displaced, the distress affects both the animal and its collective caretakers.