Woman with a full feline family saves a missing-tail kitten from under her house: 'Then [my husband] uttered the stupidest phrase "He's cute. Sure you don't want to keep him?"'

Author image for Ayala Sorotsky
Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Jan 16, 2026 2:00 PM EST

Being stuck on the CDS list is the most adorable mission a person can have.

Not all people are aware of the meowsterious doings of the Cat Distribution System. And even within the people who are aware of this meowgical agency of cat-human relations and permanent residency assignment, aren't necessarily aware if they are on the waiting list for receiving their CDS cat delivery or not. But some people know they're on the list - in a way that's very hard to miss. Some people save a cat, after cat, after cat - and the CDS just keeps on showering them with the best animal of them all. They're just as lucky as that.

This one woman is a permanent name on the list. At least she thinks so, because as you may know, nothing the Cat Distribution System does is disclosed to the public. But after two cats (and two dogs as well), the CDS assigned her for one more mission - a kitten trapped under her house. No food, no shelter, and not even a tail. This kitten was in desperate need of help. So yes, her house was full, but her heart has so much space. Truly, she's a kind person. And she couldn't ignore when her dogs alerted her (yes, dogs can be CDS agents as well) - the kitten was immediately added to the lovely family.

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  • 01
    I love cats. Always have. The last three years I have been on the top of the cat distribution list though.
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 02
    Loki, in 2023, who was a Mau/Ocicat stray who jumped into my car at night put of nowhere, became my first Shadow.
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 03
    He was 3 months old and wasn't going anywhere. In late 2024, I got chosen to rescue Ozzy, a 4 year old MC mix with a serious abuse history.
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 04
    I wasn't looking for a cat, but someone with him found me anyway. He became my second Shadow.
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10596597760
    via Barely_Treading_GB20

  • First of all, this is a heartbreaking situation to witness. It doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, what you do - when you witness a small, skinny kitten running from under your house, with no tail and lots of appetite, anyone's heart would break. This is not a sight that can be ignored. It's hard for us to imagine a person seeing this, even if they don't have any means or willingness to help - and not at least stopping to look. It's like a feeling deep inside us that screams “Kittens shouldn't be in this situation. This is wrong. Reality can't be like that.”

  • 06
    Today, my coonhounds were going apeshit sniffing the walls and doors and looking for something not there, but I could hear something, too.
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10596596736
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 08
    Out from under the house crawled this ginger baby, with a missing tail, skinny, shivering and crying directly at me.
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10596597504
    via Barely_Treading_GB20

  • Seeing this fluffball all bundled up in a comfy blanket makes us happy. Especially considering we know how this rescue mission started. No kitten should be outside, alone, hungry, definitely not in this weather. So knowing he's now inside, safe, warm, and loved like a bear hug from this blanket. Ameowzing news for everyone who sees the first picture and gets this punch in their heart. This picture update fixes this. And this little kitten has more than he had, and definitely more of what he needs and deserves. Every can deserves a home full of love.

  • 10
    I got him some food, called animal control (I have 4 animals...a wounded kitten is prey to a hunting dog, so he needed to be taken somewhere safe), then coaxed him out to wrap in a towel to wait.
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 11
    And wait. And wait. Hubby came home before animal control came and was going to drive me over there to drop him off, but then the man uttered the stupidest phrase "He's cute. -
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 12
    Sure you don't want to keep him?" OMG, why would you say that??? You know I'd keep them all if I could.
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 13
    So....after a vet visit in a town 40 miles away (local vets all decided today was a good day to leave 3 hours early), a flea treatment, a bath, another flea treatment, a blowdry, eyes and ears cleaned, a meal and a soft bed...meet Azrael.
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 14
    I guess I have a third cat. And he isn't missing a tail by accident. He's at least part Manx.
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 15
    Can we skip me next year?? I'm running out of food budget and stretched thin attention-wise.
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 16
    Shils 1234 Your request is rejected. Next!
    via Shils1234
  • 17
    OP Barely Treading_GB20 O come on! Give someone else a chance! I live in south TX. We have more strays in this area than most of the country!! I cannot keep them all!!
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 18
    VLC31 Hubby sounds like a keeper too.
    via VLC31
  • 19
    OP Barely Treading_GB20 A stray military brat I picked up in HS →→
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 20
    tippytoecat You and your husband have big hearts. Thank you for caring for all of these critters!
    via tippytoecat
  • 21
    Barely Treading_GB20 OP Well, we have no grand babies to spoil since our kids predeceased us, so I guess we get a menagerie. The only one NOT a rescue is Harlow. Ozzy Loki Harlow Bear
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 22
    Glum Tumbleweed5115 You are now an Approved Distribution Center(TM). Name your insta/twitch/whatever and start posting!
    via Glum_Tumbleweed5115
  • 23
    OP Barely Treading_GB20
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 24
    robinizzme You get what you get...and you don't get upset.
    via robinizzme
  • 25
    OP Barely Treading_GB20 Not upset at type or color...a bit anxious about the frequency. I'm already over the legal limit. Doesn't the system have to wait till my hair is all grey/white and I'm a widow before I qualify for crazy cat lady status and starter pack??
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 26
    MomShaped Object I feel this so hard. Houston here, and the number of dumped and stray animals in my neighborhood is fucking insane. I now have 4 cats and a dog all of which were dumped in my neighborhood in the last two years.
    via MomShapedObject
  • 27
    OP Barely Treading_GB20 I've taken so many animals, mostly kittens, to the ARK or the local shelter in hopes of them being adopted because I couldn't take them. Harlow was our only purchase (long story, specific reason) as a companion for Bear. All the rest are dumps, strays or rescues. Nearly all my animals, my whole life have been such. I've paid money for 3 animals my whole life and 2 were for my son. And I get all of them fixed. I truly don't understand the mindset down here on the coast abo
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 28
    No_Inflation_444 sounds like hubby is filling paperwork behind your back
    via No_Inflation_444
  • 29
    OP Barely Treading_GB20 He would, cuz then he can say we need another hound to round out the numbers. In fact, he did say that...that we needed a Bassett hound now....that sneaky bastard!!
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 30
    EquivalentCanary8243 Error 404: 'Slowdown' request denied by the CDS. You have been flagged as a 'Premium Guardian.' Good luck with the food budget!
    via EquivalentCanary8243
  • 31
    OP Barely Treading_GB20 Omg, really??? Cats don't eat as much, but have you ever fed a coonhound?? I have 2!! Harlow is only 5 months old and weighs nearly 60 lbs!!! Let's not even start on the vet bill!! Unflag me!! Please?? Pause my subscription, at least until Harlow gets out of growth phase! That's another 2 years!!
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 32
    Malsperanza Are there any rescue groups in your area you can connect with? You shouldn't have to try all on your own to find homes for them. The CDS doesn't require you to keep them all,, and you're going to risk CDS fatigue.
    via Malsperanza
  • 33
    OP Barely Treading_GB20 Most rescue groups in south and Central TX are full, overwhelmed, and pleading for help. The shelters are full, both kill and non kill. This area has one of the highest concentrations of stray, unaltered cats and dogs, who breed more, after they are dumped. And they get dumped here from all over the state. People drive down to the Valley and dump pets along the way. And we are post Christmas, so that part of the dump has started along with kitten season. And I know I can'
    via Barely_Treading_GB20
  • 34
    willbearsmom Such a cutie patootie
    via willbearsmom

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cat cds heartwarming kitten tail husband family Cat distribution system Cats stray
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