The adventurous ginger, named Rango, is a regular sight around his neighbourhood in San Antonio, California.
His owner often wondered where he disappeared to with such excitement.
Message on collar
The mystery was solved when Rango strolled back home proudly wearing a paper message: “Is he someone’s cat? What’s his name? (He’s been hanging out with us).”
Amused, his owner replied in kind, attaching her own note to Rango’s collar the following day: “His name is Rango, he loves to wander around!” She shared the exchange on TikTok, where it quickly went viral, gaining over 2.9 million views.
While many viewers were entertained by Rango’s secret visits, animal welfare groups have reminded owners of the risks for roaming cats, including cars, parasites and cruel treatment from strangers.
Messenger cat!
Some suggested safe alternatives like leashed walks or outdoor enclosures known as catios.
Still, Rango’s story has delighted cat lovers worldwide, with one commenter dubbing him a “messenger cat” and another joking, “My cat did the same – turns out he had a second family too.”
