Introduction
Some cats arrive in your life quietly. Others… show up like a plot twist in a movie.
We recently asked our community to share the story of how they met their cats — and honestly? We were not emotionally prepared. There were abandoned kittens in ceilings, bonded pairs that refused to be separated, “opossums” that turned out to be Siamese cats, and even a heartfelt story about adopting a companion after loss.
If you’re thinking about getting your first cat, these stories might be the gentle push you need — and we’ll also walk you through exactly what to prepare before your cat comes home, so you can start your new life together on the right paw.
Real Stories: How Cats Find Their Humans
🐾 1) @tunkabean — “They Were Found Abandoned in a Ceiling…” (Tinnie & Tikka)
“My babies are Tinnie and Tikka! They were found abandoned in a ceiling at just 1 week old 😢 I bottle fed them and was supposed to find homes but I fell in love. My heart was complete with them, my twin girls 😍 this was 6 years ago.”
There’s something about bottle-feeding tiny kittens that instantly turns you into a full-time parent. You think you’re “just helping”… and then suddenly you're Googling best kitten toys at midnight and crying over how small their paws are.
This story is a reminder that cats don’t always enter our lives at the perfect time — but once they do, they have a way of becoming everything.
🐾 2) @tito.and.mochi — “We Went for One… and Came Home with Two.” (Tito & Mochi)
“I lived with a roommate at the time who had her own cat… We went to pick up just one kitten and they wouldn’t give us just the one without the other because they were a bonded pair/from the same litter… My roommate ended up moving out and wanted to keep only Tito but I was not willing to split up the pair and so that’s how we ended up with Tito & Mochi ❤️.”
First-time cat owners often imagine they’ll bring home just one kitten…
But shelters have a funny way of introducing you to bonded pairs, and once you’ve seen two kittens curl up together like little spoon and big spoon, you understand why they shouldn’t be separated.
And here’s a little secret: sometimes, two cats can actually be easier than one. They keep each other company, burn off energy together, and learn social behavior naturally.
🐾 3) @collins_cats — “I Thought It Was an Opossum… but It Was a Siamese.” (Mickey)
“Mickey is one of my 5 indoor cats, a Siamese. I keep food on the porch for several community cats and the occasional opossum… At dusk, I saw an opossum who looked kinda odd! When I finally got a good look, I was shocked to see a dirty Siamese! I immediately set up a trap and caught him the next night. The next morning… he gave me a huge hug! That was 4 years ago. He is my best friend 😻.”
This story is exactly why cats are the most unpredictable little creatures on earth.
Imagine thinking you’re feeding a mysterious neighborhood opossum…
and instead, you end up rescuing a Siamese cat who hugs you the next morning.
If that’s not destiny, we don’t know what is.
🐾 4) @therealbabydubs — “We Brought Mochi Home Because Pew Was Depressed.” (Pew & Mochi)
“Mochi came into our lives because Pew got very depressed when Dubs passed away… Pew was still a young kitten and I felt it would be great for her to have a companion. I found Mochi on the humane society website and I went and picked him up. They are great friends now and play all the time.”
This one hits deep.
When pets lose a companion, they can show real emotional changes — less appetite, less play, more hiding. Bringing home a new friend doesn’t replace the one who’s gone… but it can help restore routine and joy.
And sometimes, love looks like adopting again.
Thinking About Your First Cat? Here’s What to Prepare Before They Come Home
These stories are heartwarming — but behind every “how we met” moment is a responsible cat parent who prepares.
If you’re adopting for the first time, here’s a simple checklist that will make the transition smoother for both you and your cat.
✅ 1) The Essentials You Need on Day One
Before your cat arrives, make sure you have:
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Litter box + litter (1 per cat + 1 extra is ideal)
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Food and water bowls
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Cat food (ask the shelter what they’re currently eating)
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Scratching post or scratch pad
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A cozy bed or blanket
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Carrier (for vet visits and emergencies)
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Basic toys (wand toy, ball, kicker toy)
Tip: Keep it simple at first. You can always buy more once you see what your cat actually likes.
✅ 2) Set Up a “Safe Room” for the First Few Days
Cats often feel overwhelmed in a new environment — especially shy cats and kittens.
A safe room should include:
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food and water
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litter box
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a hiding spot (box or covered bed)
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toys
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a quiet place to decompress
Let them explore at their own pace.
✅ 3) Build a Consistent Feeding Routine (This Matters More Than Most People Think)
If there’s one thing that makes cat ownership easier, it’s this:
Cats thrive on predictable routines — especially when it comes to food.
A consistent feeding schedule helps:
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reduce begging and meowing
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prevent overeating
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reduce irregular eating habits
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support digestion and healthier behavior
Most adult cats do well with two meals per day, while kittens often need smaller meals more frequently.
✅ 4) What If You Have a Busy Schedule?
Life happens. Work runs late. Travel happens. You oversleep.
And inconsistent feeding is one of the most common reasons cats develop irregular eating patterns.
That’s why many first-time cat owners (and experienced ones, too) find that a smart automatic cat feeder can be a helpful tool — not as a replacement for care, but as a way to support consistency.
For example, a smart feeder like:
👉 https://petauratech.com/products/smart-automatic-cat-feeder
can help deliver measured meals at scheduled times even when you’re not home, helping your cat maintain a steady routine without overfeeding.
(You should still monitor your cat’s appetite daily — automatic feeding is best when paired with observation.)
✅ 5) Schedule a Vet Visit Within the First 1–2 Weeks
Even if your cat looks healthy, a wellness check is important.
Your vet can help with:
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vaccines
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flea/tick prevention
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microchip status
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spay/neuter planning
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nutrition recommendations
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Choose Cats — They Choose You
Whether your cat came from a ceiling, a shelter, a porch at dusk, or a “we came for one but got two” situation… the start of your story matters.
And if you’re preparing to bring a cat home for the first time, the best thing you can do is create a safe environment, build consistent routines, and give your new companion the time to settle in.
Because the truth is:
cats don’t just become pets. They become family.
💬 Your turn: How did you meet your cat?
We’d love to feature more stories in future posts.
Leave your “how we met” story in the comments — we’re always ready to cry happy tears again. 🐾
Special thanks to @tunkabean, @tito.and.mochi, @collins_cats, and @therealbabydubs for sharing their beautiful stories with our community.
If you’d like to read more heartwarming “how we met” moments between cats and their humans, you can visit our community story event on Instagram and discover even more unforgettable encounters here:
👉 https://www.instagram.com/p/DSHEiliEY3g/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
