What started as a handwritten note pinned to a wall inside a New York City walk-up quickly snowballed into a building-wide,days-long mission to track down a missing cat—and the story has now tugged at the heartstrings of over 1.1 million people online.

The TikTok,posted by user Carleigh Rodriguez(carleigh.rod14),captured the whole process through a series of note photos,showing how neighbors across several floors teamed up to look after the animal.

The first message appeared on"Day 1,"alerting residents that a lost cat had been spotted wandering the fifth floor.By the next day,a photo of the feline had been added,credited to someone in apartment 2C,as neighbors tried to figure out who the cat belonged to.

By day three,the effort had escalated—Rodriguez noted that food and toys had been placed on"Every.Floor."

The coordinated response reached its peak a few days later when a new note announced that the cat had been taken in temporarily by a resident in 3D,with help from a rescue group.

Later notes added a more emotional layer to the story.One suggested that the cat—later named"Eli"—may have belonged to a neighbor who had recently passed away.Another confirmed that the animal would be fostered long-term by the resident in 2C.

The notes also mentioned that the cat had no microchip and that a rescue organization was arranging future care.In a heartbreaking final update,someone wrote that the cat might have cancer—though that turned out to be false,as the rescue group later clarified in the comments.

"This cat is in rescue!"Big Apple Cats confirmed."He is going to foster care in the building on Monday.(He doesn't have cancer.)"

Expert Advice

The steps taken by the building's residents actually align closely with guidance from animal welfare organizations.

"If you see a stray cat or dog,try to capture and contain the animal if circumstances permit,"American Humane advises on its website,adding that people should"always approach stray animals slowly and cautiously while speaking in a calm,gentle voice."

The same guidance recommends checking for ID tags and reaching out to shelters or rescue groups to improve the chances of getting the animal proper care.

'Make sure they get the help they need'

The situation also sheds light on the difficulties pets face when their owner passes away.

"Dogs,cats and other pets may not understand what has happened,and they may become anxious,"according to Ever Loved,which offers advice on ensuring animals are looked after in such situations.

The organization stresses that it's"important to take care of pets after someone dies and to make sure they get the help they need during this difficult time."

Users React

TikTok users flooded the comments with reactions,many praising the sense of community on display.

"I love that it stayed bulletin and no phone numbers or social are involved,"one person wrote.Another joked,"Is this apartment accepting applications for new tenants?"

"I hope that’s a rent-controlled apartment building,"one commenter noted."I’d never leave.To know your neighbors,keep tabs on how even lonely folks are doing,and step up to care for the pets they left behind?I couldn’t ask for more from a little apartment community.Genuinely tearing up.I’ve always wanted to know my neighbors."

Newsweek has reached out to carleigh.rod14 for comment via TikTok.We could not verify the details of the case.