Gorgeous Greek kitten Athena grows attached to tourists, they end up stamping her pawsport and taking her home: 'We knew she wasn't one for the streets of Greece'

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Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Oct 1, 2025 4:00 PM EDT

You can find your soulmate anywhere in the world. For some, that bond is with a romantic partner, but it certainly doesn't have to be. Sometimes a soulmate is a friend who feels like family. But soulmates aren't always human, either. Sometimes they come with four paws, whiskers, and a knack for swatting cups off of tables. These once-in-a-lifetime connections can cross oceans, language barriers, and even species.

That's exactly what happened when a tiny Greek kitten crossed paths with a pair of tourists. If you've read the title, you'll know this story ends in adoption, but it's hard to say who adopted who. She's the one that wandered into their vacation lodgings and refused to leave, after all. During their stay next to the Aegean Sea, they formed a bond that made it clear she wasn't meant to live the rough life of a stray. By the end of their trip, the travelers weren't just leaving Greece with memories and souvenirs, they were leaving with Athena and her paw-stamped pspspssport as well.

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  • 01

    My beautiful 12-week old kitten that we brought home from Greece

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  • 02
    This beautiful Aegean kitty wandered into our house in Greece while we were on vacation for a month. She refused
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    to leave, even when we placed her outside to gently encourage her - she just climbed right back up the steps to our house and
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    waited at the door until we opened it. She's the sweetest, most precious cat i've ever met.
    via u/isopodding

  • Sometimes, you adopt a cat, and sometimes, the cat adopts you. This wise little cat, named after the Greek Goddess of wisdom, knew that she'd find her forever home if she followed these non-local hoomans around. So wise!

  • 05
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    She didn't seem like a stray at all, she was so friendly and trusting and willing to cuddle up with me on the first night. We made sure
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    she wasn't anyone's cat or that she had any family to go back to - we live in a small village with
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    maybe 60-70 people and majority of the residents hate cats or look at them as pests.
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    We knew she wasn't one for the streets of Greece, as they can be so cruel there. We took her to the
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    vet, got her microchipped, made sure she was healthy, had the vet forge the documents a little so she seemed older than she was on paper (kittens can't travel
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    internationally under 12 weeks and she was 8 weeks when we found her), and then got a harness and a carrier. Then we
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    were all set to get on the plane and take her home! It was pretty pricey but IMO, it was so worth it.
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    She's adjusting so well to domestic life and she actually learned to use the litter box on her own the first day here!! I was
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    beyond proud of her. I hope you guys love her as much as I do :) Sorry for the long ramble, I just love her sooo much
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    Also, forgot to mention: her name is Athena! She's named after the Greek goddess which I'm pretty sure is self-explanatory lol!! If
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    anyone else has an international kitty (or kitty in general!) that they took home, please share in the comments!
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    rustysunshine She's going to have the best life with you May the universe smile on you for your kindness :)
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    Jealous_Art_3922 Love the go-go boots!
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    sugarintheboots Her ears are exquisite.
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    isopodding OP I love her ears. They look way too big for her head and it's the cutest thing
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    SnarkSide_oftheForce Athena, goddess of wisdom, undoubtedly counseled her to glom onto you as tightly as possible!
    via u/SnarkSide_oftheForce

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greece wholesome cat wholesome cats adorable cats pets cat pictures cute cats adopted greek mythology feline cat rescue pawrents Cats vacation rescue
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