If the idea was to contain the cat, these folks must be new to cats.

Sure, it's transparent, looks expensive, but it's still a small cage. Why... The cat can see people, watch the activity, but he's not allowed to participate or interact with anyone? How sad, maybe they don't want him on their nice furniture, but no one pets him or gives him a cuddle when he's caged in that fishbowl affair.

I can't come up with any good reason to justify locking the cat in that plastic bubble. It the owners don't want him in their house then rehome him with a new family that will adore him as one of the family.

Those are NOT cat people!

I hope the cat scratched the living hell out of all the furniture after he escaped... just to show them who is boss.