At a Glance
- A delivery driver appears to have taken a family cat in doorbell footage on January 18, 2026.
- The cat, Nora, was missing until her owners announced her safe return on January 21, 2026.
- West Yorkshire Police confirmed a stolen-cat report, and Amazon’s third-party drivers were involved.
- Why it matters: The incident highlights gaps in delivery protocols and the vulnerability of outdoor pets.
A family in West Yorkshire is still buzzing after their outdoor cat, Nora, vanished in a bizarre turn of events captured on a doorbell camera. The footage shows a delivery driver, presumably from Amazon, dropping off a package and then seemingly taking the cat away. After a short search and police involvement, Nora was found and returned home, but questions about how a pet could be taken by a delivery person remain.
The Disappearance
On January 19, 2026, Carl Crowther, 53, realized his beloved cat was missing when she did not return home that evening. Nora has a heart murmur and requires daily medication, making her absence especially concerning. Crowther and his partner, Sarah, 52, had always trusted that Nora, an outdoor cat with a cat flap, would find her way back.
> “We were absolutely shocked,” Crowther told the outlet.
The couple had no immediate cause for concern at first, thinking Nora would simply wander back. However, the missing cat prompted them to review the doorbell footage from that day.
The Doorbell Footage
The video, provided by SWNS, shows a delivery driver arriving at the Crowthers’ home on January 18, 2026. The driver drops off an Amazon package, places the box at the door, and then notices Nora sitting nearby. The footage then cuts to the driver picking up the cat and walking away.
Crowther described the scene as a “disgusting” discovery, and he was “absolutely shocked” upon seeing the cat being taken.
> “We’re delighted to announce that she was returned home safe and well,” Crowther wrote on Facebook on January 21, 2026.
The family’s post expressed relief and gratitude, noting that they were “over the moon” with the outcome.
Police and Amazon Response
Crowther immediately contacted West Yorkshire Police (WYP) and shared the footage. WYP confirmed that a report of a stolen cat had been received around 2:30 p.m. local time on January 19, 2026.
According to News Of Los Angeles, Amazon does not employ its drivers; instead, it uses local third-party providers to deliver its shipments. News Of Los Angeles reached out to Amazon for further comment regarding Nora’s disappearance but has yet to receive a statement.
The police investigation remains ongoing. Crowther stated he and his wife were “not going into details regarding her return due to ongoing investigations,” but they thanked supporters for spreading the word.
The Reunion
Several days after the disappearance, Nora was found and brought back to the Crowthers’ home. The family announced her safe return on January 21, 2026. Although the exact circumstances of her return remain unclear, the cat’s safe arrival was a relief to the owners.
Crowther expressed his gratitude to the community:
> “We’re over the moon with this outcome,” he wrote.
The family’s cat, who has a heart murmur, will now continue her daily medication routine.
Key Takeaways
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of disappearance | January 19, 2026 |
| Date of footage | January 18, 2026 |
| Police report time | 2:30 p.m. |
| Delivery service | Amazon (third-party driver) |
| Outcome | Cat safely returned on January 21, 2026 |
The incident underscores the need for stricter protocols when delivery personnel handle packages near households with pets. While the cat was safely returned, the event raises concerns about how such a situation could occur and what safeguards might prevent it in the future.
Categories: World News, Breaking News
