Down-and-out cat-lover finds their soul cat in a cuddly feral feline, then they risk it all to save them despite a rocky living situation: ‘Little buddy has unlocked a whole extra tier of motivation’

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
May 1, 2025 5:00 AM EDT

Life throws all kinds of curveballs at us, but it seems like whenever it rains, it pours. There's never just one problem going on in your life, and instead of a single manageable issue, you're drowning in unemployment, a bad roommate sitch, and a 'Check Engine' light that never seems to turn off. Like the cat-lover in this story, sometimes when life is getting us down, all we need is a cuddle session with a cat to get our priorities straight. 

And this feral feline certainly gave a man clarity on the types of relationships and purrtnerships he wanted in life after stumbling into his telenovela-worthy, dumpster-fire life. 

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  • Sometimes we need a companion who's not going to judge us. And who better to give a hooman unconditional love than a feral feline who's spent their whole life on the streets? Feral cats are usually quite timid and reserved with us two-legged giants, but once a stray or feral cat decides they trust you, purrhaps it's time to make some changes in your life to accommodate them. 

    Keep scrolling for the heartwarming tale of meowtivation and human determination for the sake of continued companionship, where a man fights for the cat who cuddled his way into his soul.

  • I've been looking for a neighbor's lost cat the last few days. Last night I was doing my rounds when I found this poor thing. She was so friendly, let me come up to her and pet her!! But she was clearly not doing well -- emaciated and
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  • covered in mats, and was coughing as well. So I just... picked her up? Because I could tell she would let me. And I took her to the vet. She was meowing in protest but didn't even hiss or swipe.
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  • I've been at the overnight vet for 6 hours now, and y'all, this cat. She is obsessed with burying her head in the crook of my elbow. She purrs so loud (with a wheeze, poor thing) when I pet her. She doesn't have a chip or any
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  • other evidence that she's owned. But... she seems to really like me. And I'm totally falling for her. Is it ok to take a stray as a pet if the stray seems to enjoy the attention and
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  • needs help? Or is it always bad for them? I'm still waiting to get her a basic exam. But in these last couple hours I've gotten so attached to her. I really want to help her and keep her if I can.
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  • Jazzapop3 Yes! Keep her. You were chosen. If she's emaciated she is clearly unable to find adequate food on her own. She needs you.
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  • fragilemuse Awww, poor sweet baby. I hope you decide to keep him, it sounds like he feels very safe with you. Grey cats are the best! If you need any
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  • more encouragement, here is my feral boy living his best life after a rough start on the streets.
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  • Update Ok first, just want to say that I'm absolutely blown away by the incredible sweetness of everyone that commented on my question post. Holy cow. Thank you so much for caring about this cat as much as I do, for the
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  • overwhelmingly kind words and for all the fantastic advice!! I can't believe over 300k people have seen this post. Y'all are a magical corner of the internet Ok on to cat!!!
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  • Despereaux is doing great! His bloodwork was "nearly perfect" and his SNAP was negative. He mostly needs dental work, fluids, food over time to build his weight back up, and not least, all the cuddles he desires. I'm so relieved that he's not d_ng, I was really worried for a minute.
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  • I got him situated as well as I can for now. I put him in a newborn swaddler snuggy earlier and he was LOVING that We are both napping in my car in a cool and pleasant neighborhood (he's napping, I'm about to lol). We're exhausted.
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  • Unfortunately, my current living situation right now is that I'm renting a room from a couple who is NOT interested in having pets. (Even though they already have one... sigh. Another story.) So, that means I need to find a
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  • foster for him. I'm 99% sure I have a friend who will take him, but probably not until after he's been to the vet and shaved/bathed/flea combed (doubt she would want to risk a flea infestation in her apartment). So tonight I think Des and I are gonna nap together in the car.
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  • Fortunately it is cool enough for us to do this right now. I've already been feverishly applying to jobs for the last few weeks so I can move out into my own space, so I'm really hoping that something will come
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  • together really soon. (I'm a student, been getting by on random freelance stuff until now.) Gonna keep giving it my best. Little buddy has unlocked a whole extra tier of motivation. I'm almost graduated and MAN I just want
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  • my life to have some stability lol. I was gonna get a cat after the stability, but I guess we'll ride this out together. It's better than what he had got. Once I have money I'm gonna give him a cat palace
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  • Hope this update satisfied the hunger haha!! Still can't believe there are so many people out there who would also spend all their money on a stray cat. Everyone around me has been acting like I'm crazy so it's wonderful to find out I have people in my corner -- OUR corner! here
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adopt cuddly wholesome cat adorable adoption snuggles cuteness foster fail foster kitten cute adopted snuggly cuddles feline cat rescue Cat distribution system Cats
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