Pregnant wife finds fuzzy feral kitten stowed away in car engine; she gives it to her son for the purrfect birthday present: 'This kid managed to contact the CDS directly'

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Aug 21, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

Appawrently, if you wish really, really, really, really hard for the Cat Distribution System to bring you a kitten for your birthday, it will. It has never worked for us (we've been pleading with the CDS for years to bring us a kitty on birthdays, holidays, and random wrkdays), but this wholesome story is living proof that it can work. 

What we do know fur sure is that this meowsterious system brings cats and kittens to hoomans who need some fluffy feline energy in their lives. It can also work backwards, bringing cats in need to hoomans who have the capacity to care for them. This seemed like a purrfect match, so we're not surprised at the "coincidence" of this post below.

A pregnant wife found a kitten underneath the hood of their family car, and knowing that her son had been wanting a cat for his birthday, she did the most heartwarming thing pawssible - she decided to give the cat to her son as the purrfect present. Now, normally we're against giving any sort of animal as a gift, but when it's a gift from a parent to a child, it's a different story. Why? Because both the adults are aware and consenting to it, and hopefully, will use the opportunity to teach the kids how to properly care for a pet. We hope so, anyway. 

It's pawsitively sweet, purrfectly awwdorable, and an adoption story we won't soon furget. 

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  • 01

    Found this little stowaway under the hood of a car. Our son wanted a cat for his birthday...

    Cheezburger Image 10544111360
    via rainbowtwist
  • 02
    It's clearly feral, probably around 6-8 weeks. How big of a concern are rabies and other diseases and parasites? We are in western Washington State.
    via rainbowtwist
  • 03
    It's going to be a couple days before we can get to our vet since it's the weekend. I'm pregnant and our kids want to be involved in it's care so I want to be sure we are careful.
    via rainbowtwist
  • 04
    Planning to keep it in a large kennel with enough space for a litter box in our bathroom for now. The kids would like to let it out in the bathroom so it can explore while they sit quietly, I'm not so sure if it's safe.
    via rainbowtwist

  • This kitten will certainly need a few days to settle in. If it truly is feral, it will take time to adjust to being around hoomans all the time (and living indoors). Luckily, it's still quite young, so it should adjust in time to become a spicy, silly house cat who loves their hoomans!

  • 05
    rai... 11h ago Edited 10h ago Update: I went ahead and moved its crate into our shower stall which has a very high door that it can't escape from, then cracked the door to the crate open and put a little litter box right in front.
    via rainbowtwist
  • 06
    Kitten hiding in car engine
    via Imagens de EscapeRossio

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 07
    Hopefully it will start to feel safe enough to explore safely in the closed bathroom a little bit. It should be okay in there for the next couple of days until we get it to the vet.
    via rainbowtwist
  • 08
    Got some kitten food from a neighbor. We will take turns spending as much time as possible quietly sitting nearby so he/she can socialize and get used to us. We will give kitten a dawn bath after a visit to the vet.
    via rainbowtwist
  • 09
    Update II: After watching the Kitten Lady, I'm pretty sure it's around 8 weeks old, eyes are a brilliant yellow-green. Still hasn't left the crate.
    via rainbowtwist
  • 10
    kiera-oona • 14h ago . It's still best to keep the kitty a antined to decompress, get to smell their environment, and to make sure they don't have anything that can be spread to humans like ringworm, till you can get them to the vet
    via kiera-oona
  • 11
    Make sure the kids understand the reasons why, and maybe let them watch a few videos with you from Jackson Galaxy and the Kitten Lady, on how to help introduce new kittens into the household, and the reasons for the quarantine. The kids'll catch on pretty quick why, and it will help them better understand the CDS approved furbaby
    via kiera-oona
  • 12
    unknownpoltroon ⚫ 14h ago >What next? HE TAKES OVER YOUR HOUSE
    via unknownpoltroon

  • He certainly will take over the house…. after he gets all of his vaccinations and a nice bath! Nobody wants fleas in the house, and there is no point in risking anything until after the vet checks him out. Patience is key, and good things come to those who wait!

  • 13
    Kitten in a red gift box
    via ilona75

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 14
    Calico CatRobot 14h ago . Fleas and worms are likely a given. Vet will sort out worms, but bathing can help with fleas - I believe diluted Dawn dish soap is considered safe to use in the meantime.
    via CalicoCatRobot
  • 15
    Good news is that at this age it's much easier to overcome their feral nature and get them used to being handled. Kitten teeth are very sharp though, so proceed with caution, but tough love is best at this age. Nothing cuter than a feisty kitten that eventually decides its fun to snuggle!
    via CalicoCatRobot
  • 16
    Can't comment on the pregnancy angle, hopefully others can chime in on that. I believe the general advice is for other people to change the litter, and maintain hygiene protocols (wash hands before and after, etc)
    via CalicoCatRobot
  • 17
    I would probably keep it in the carrier until the vet visit, at least until you are sure there are no hideyholes in the bathroom it might get into (under bath etc) and that nothing dangerous chemical wise is around - they will fit in VERY small holes. Good luck! The CDS knows what it's doing!
    via CalicoCatRobot
  • 18
    pengu... 14h ago Edited 11h ago . I'm currently 37 weeks pregnant with my third, and since I'm a stay at home mom, my husband got me a N95 mask and large rubber gloves to do the litter pans for the 3 strays we brought in 2 weeks ago. I couldn't stand
    via penguin7199
  • 19
    being home all day and smelling them and having to wait for my husband to get home to do their litter. Made the house smell awful and our other 2 kids shouldn't have to sit with that odor. So that's our solution. Which honestly, I won't ever not
    via penguin7199
  • 20
    use gloves and a nice mask to do their litter ever again lol. But yeah, definitely don't do litter without those things if you have to do it yourself, as cleaning cat litter while pregnant is considered dangerous, but especially with strays since you don't know where they've been.
    via penguin7199
  • 21
    Acrobatic-Ostrich-49 14h ago . I would keep the kitten in a crate for now. Also, it's too young for rabies - that's given at 12ish weeks. 6-8 weeks there's a series vaccine that can be started with the first one and the 2nd one can be given with the rabies vaccine at 12 weeks.
    via Acrobatic-Ostrich-49
  • 22
    If you can get some Revolution, that will take care of a bunch of things at once. I would ask your vet if they carry it (some don't and it needs to be ordered) to see if they can apply it at the first visit. They will also do a dewormer.
    via Acrobatic-Ostrich-49
  • 23
    It honestly is probably carrying a bunch of unwanted house guests but if you leave it in the kennel where it is now, you are ok. If you are pregnant, get someone else to change the litter or use gloves. As long as you clean out the right away, you are ok but there's a parasite that's a big no no to deal with while pregnant.
    via Acrobatic-Ostrich-49
  • 24
    Alternative-Read-236 • 14h ago The distribution system does run on holidays
    via Alternative-Read-236
  • 25
    Willamina03 · 14h ago . Vet, bath with dawn dish soap. Before putting it back in the carrier after the bath, completely empty the carrier out and clean thoroughly, consider everything in there contaminated and needing replacement.
    via Willamina03
  • 26
    Give kitty moist food as well as dry kitten kibble. Last, it's expensive but will change your life. Get a litter robot from the litter robot site. I've tried three other types of automated litter boxes and the litter robot is by far the best in
    via Willamina03
  • 27
    terms of cleaning, smell, and cost. It paid for itself within about 18 months in terms of letter refills and ease of collecting litter. Don't use light weight litter or you will find it all over your house. Any regular clumping litter is good. Have fun with your new pipsqueak.
    via Willamina03
  • 28
    darkest_irish_lass 12h ago Your kids want to pet and cuddle the kit right now and that's not a good idea for a lot of reasons. Explain that the poor kitten is scared and needs time alone in a small space like the kennel so it feels safe.
    via darkest_irish_lass
  • 29
    You could have them take turns placing treats just inside the doorway of the kennel while talking softly. That way they could sneak a private peak at the kitten and they can all get used to each other.
    via darkest_irish_lass
  • 30
    Ingfellow45 • 14h ago Con-cat-ulations!
    via Ingfellow45
  • 31
    RachelPalmer79 13h ago Make your SO clean the box. If not, mask up and glove up!!!
    via RachelPalmer79
  • 32
    Dangerous_Strength77 • 12h ago I can't speak to specific local concerns, however, ql antine is always a good idea. Expect him to be spicy, but he can be won over with time, patience, food and treats. Depending on how spicy he is gloves (oven mitt) may be appropriate when handling him.
    via Dangerous_Strength77
  • 33
    CobblerBeautiful5726 12h ago And after all yhos is done head to the shelter for a second kitten. It needs a sibling.
    via CobblerBeautiful5726
  • 34
    yrnkween 9h ago • You're lucky he didn't want a pony, it would have really messed up your engine.
    via yrnkween
  • 35
    Candid_Jellyfish_240 7h ago that this kid managed to "contact the CDS directly" and that the CDS delivered this incredible birthday present.
    via Candid_Jellyfish_240
  • 36
    Embarrassed_Wrap8421 · 9h ago Tell the kids that if they allow the kitty to get comfortable over the next few days, they'll have an amazing fur buddy. Kitty just needs time, patience, and gentle handling.
    via Embarrassed_Wrap8421
  • 37
    Subject-Lavishness80 8h ago Kitty may not be feral, just frightened. It can be hard to tell.
    via Subject-Lavishness80
  • 38
    wjrasmussen ⚫ 7h ago Bet is was the CDS fairy doing her job.
    via wjrasmussen
  • 39
    Lemonzip 6h ago. Have your son wish you would win the lottery - he clearly has a lot of power. Teach him to use it for the greater good.
    via Lemonzip

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adoption cds birthday kitten animal rescue adopted feline cat rescue feral cats Cat distribution system forever home birthday present Cats loving cute kittens animals rescue
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