I think my cat isn’t my cat.

So. My cat went missing October 14th, 2024. I got a hopeful message a couple weeks ago. He had been found! It looked just like him in the pictures the woman sent to me so of course I went to her house to look. I took him home because I was eager and excited that I’d found my cat who’d been missing for forever.

He was somewhat skiddish but still clearly domesticated. Used the litter box. Even came to me when I called his name.. and crawled into my lap himself. I thought oh my god it is him. But he was missing something. My cat had a strange rasp. It’s hard to explain but point being, the cat in my possession doesn’t have said rasp. I thought, wow, his raspy little wheeze is gone, that’s great! I was always worried it was because my cat was sick so yay! No more sickies! Then I noticed his paws. His toes beans were the right pattern on his front left foot. An exact match to Ciggy. His right paw, not so much. His back paws. All pink.

I’m googling and searching for an explanation that might explain away how toe beans can switch from pink to black and black to pink, hoping that I’m not back at square one. That Ciggy is still missing. And I’m so scared to out my cute little imposter. Of course I want to provide a home to this cutie. But I can’t sleep knowing my kitty might still be out there.

Part of me feels like if this is my kitty there wouldn’t be a doubt in my mind right now. And that I know if I accept this isn’t him, I might lose hope for my Ciggy. Please help me. Please someone explain away these changes 😭

Please keep in mind that the photos of my cat are from ages 6-9 months. Meaning the now photos would be 18 -19 months