'His name is Edgar. And he chose me': Person goes to take out trash when a fluffy kitten pops out of the trashcan, steals their heart, and decides their home is much comfier

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Feb 26, 2026 9:00 AM EST

Cats can adopt you anywhere, anytime. 

And we're not joking. This is something that we have learned over our time both as cat owners and as people writing about cats on a daily basis. You could be doing anything, and if a cat wants to find you, it will find you. You could be working when a kitten is handed to you through the drive-through window. You could be going on a walk with your dogs when a kitten comes screaming at the dogs and adopts all of you. You could be sitting at home, at your computer, when a kitten flies in through your window and leaves you with no choice but to go out and buy kitten supplies. 

And maybe you are like this person, and all you did was go out to take out the trash. That's all it was, but somehow, it was a lifechanigng life-changing moment. Because out of the trashcan into which you tossed your trash came out an itty bitty kitten who was ready for a home. And if you are the home that the kitty chose, then really, you have no choice in the matter. You have to accept your fate and enjoy the consequences.

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  • 01

    "CDS Left This Boy In My Trash Ten Years Ago"

    Cheezburger Image 10608678144
    via alliaon
  • 02
    Around 10 years ago, on a cold night, I was dragging my trash cans out to the curb. This boy popped out. He was much skinnier; kinda greasy looking.
    via alliaon
  • 03
    I went back inside and brought out cans of wet food. He brightened up and was super friendly. So I put him in my laundry room in the basement overnight.
    via alliaon
  • 04
    The next day, I looked all through lost pet pages and took him to the vet. No chip, and he was full of worms. I posted to find an owner. No takers. He got healthy and became friends with my other cats and dogs. He just decided he was home.
    via alliaon
  • 05
    Over the years, we've had to say goodbye to my other pets, but he's still here. He's a great mouser. He's hella dog-savvy and chases after my current cattle dog. He loves tuna and any kind of cat food with a lot of gravy. His name is Edgar. And he chose me.
    via alliaon
  • 06
    Picture of a fluffy gray cat
    via Unsplash / engin akyurt

    Picture of a fluffy gray cat.

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

  • 07
    kimkay01 Awwww, I love this so much! The ones that choose you are the best. Your story reminds me of that meme about how dog parents talk about spending two years researching their chose one and getting interviewed by breeders and spending huge amounts of, while cat parents say "I went out to the trash can one night and there he was!". Edgar should be the forever face of that meme - he's perfect in every way!
    via kimkay01
  • 08
    alliaon OP This is so very true. I remember at the time, I already had 2 cats and 2 dogs. I was so worried about taking on another pet. But he literally joined the pack like he was meant for us all along.
    via alliaon
  • 09
    kimkay01 Definitely meant to be - a pack that big taking him right in is wild!!! I hope you have many more happy years with him
    via kimkay01
  • 10
    alliaon OP I know! I'm very cognizant of the cost of care and whatnot. I was concerned at the beginning. But it worked out. My other two cats were both seniors when he came home to us. Right now, I have just him and my dog. He's the kind of cat that seems to be more content as long as he has another animal as a friend.
    via alliaon

  • There is nothing quite like trashcan cats. They are some of the best cats in the whole wide world. They know what struggling means, they know what it's like to live off of very little, and that means, really, that they are appreciative. They understand that when they are with us, they have the whole world. Of course, they don't tell us that. And after a short while of overt appreciation, they make sure that we know they rule the house and that every bit of food we give them is our honor and not theirs, but really, we only love them more for it. 

  • 11
    Picture of a fluffy gray cat
    via Unsplash / engin akyurt

    Picture of a fluffy gray cat.

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

  • 12
    dc_boffin Trash cats are the best cats.
    via dc_boffin
  • 13
    alliaon OP Lol! We actually called him "trash cat” until we came up with a more distinguished name!
    via alliaon
  • 14
    dc_boffin It wasn't TC by chance? It does double duty if you're a fan of Magnum, Pl and were gifted a "Trash Cat"
    via dc_boffin
  • 15
    alliaon OP We actually called him variations of “trash cat” and "laundry" (bc of his living in the laundry room while going through the worming, etc, bc of my other pets.
    via alliaon
  • 16
    Picture of a fluffy gray cat
    via Unsplash / Anna Kumpan

    Picture of a fluffy gray cat.

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

  • 17
    Old_Science4946 how do these long hair fellas live outside??? he was so matted and dirty when we met, and his fur wasn't nearly as floofy.
    via Old_Science4946
  • 18
    alliaon OP I actually didn't know he had long fur. He was in pretty bad shape, and his fur was so thin when I first found him. It's like he got good care and overnight he floofed out. I Wish I still had the pictures I'd taken back then for the lost postings.
    via alliaon

  • This is true. It is much harder for cats with long fur to survive in the wild. It's a lot of work, taking care of all that fluff, and in difficult weather conditions, and when you are looking for shelter and food all day every day, it becomes nearly impossible. There is a good chance that the day that you took him out of the trash is also the day that you saved his life. There is no telling how long he would have survived out there on his own. And now, he never has to think about it ever again. 

  • 19
    PerspectiveKookie16 Edgar is a serious looker!
    via PerspectiveKookie16
  • 20
    alliaon OP He really is! At the beginning, he looked kinda rough. But after he filled out, I've always been in awe of how majestic he looks.
    via alliaon
  • 21
    RGQcats He chases after your cattle dog? Amazing. He's beautiful and smart and was definitely a keeper.
    via RGQcats
  • 22
    alliaon OP Yes! My other pets were all getting older when he came on the scene. My current dog is a cattle dog. And she was a puppy when I got her. So Edgar kind of rules the roost. He chases down my dog when he's feeling playful. I have a video of them eating out of the same bowl and Edgar kind of bossing my dog around.
    via alliaon
  • 23
    Rabbitrules87 Sounds like a dumped former pet. Glad he found you!
    via Rabbitrules87
  • 24
    alliaon OP That's what I think too. I'm just glad he sensed the friendly place to go dumpster diving.
    via alliaon

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