'The little fighter who was almost left behind': Person adopts one kitten but has to leave his sick brother behind, their friend steps in to rescue the remaining kitten, and now that he’s recovering, the two are on track for future kitty playdates

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Apr 2, 2026 6:15 AM EDT

When going to adopt a cat, this person was chosen by one sibling out of a pair. The other sibling was sick and could not be brought in to be with her other cats. Heartbroken, she called her friend, and that friend came to the rescue and adopted the sick brother. And now, kitty playdates are on the horizon. 

Splitting up bonded pairs is something that we are always, always against. Bonded pairs need one another. They are each other's other halves. But what happens if splitting them up is necessary? What happens when you, as the one adopting, see no other choice? Maybe that choice exists, but it doesn't exist in that moment, you don't see it, you don't know what to do. When that happens, you call someone who you think might help. Although we don't think that the friend who made the phone call in this story knew what amazing thing the person the called would do. 

These two friends decided to make the best out of a difficult situation. One friend adopted the cat who chose her, and the other friend adopted his brother - the sick kitty. They split them up. But not forever. These two cats will get to see one another in kitty playdates. 

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

Advertisement
  • 01

    "Zero chance I'm letting him go back to the shelter. Meet the little fighter who was almost left behind."

    Cheezburger Image 10619682816
    via FitMindTrainer
  • 02
    My friend was absolutely devastated and crying her eyes out today because she found herself in an impossible situation where she could only adopt one of two bonded brothers.
    via FitMindTrainer
  • 03
    While she took the healthy kitten, this poor little guy was dealing with kitty cough, and since she has other cats at home, she simply could not risk bringing the infection back to her house and putting her other pets in danger.
    via FitMindTrainer
  • 04
    The sheer thought of this sick and vulnerable baby being sent back to a shelter cage to sit in the dark while his brother went to a warm home was just too much for me to handle, so I stepped in and told her right then that there was zero chance I was letting him go back.
    via FitMindTrainer
  • 05
    He has clearly been through so much trauma already because he was taken from his mother way too early, and now he spends his entire day tucked into my shoulder or arm, suckling on my sleeves and nursing for comfort as if he is desperately trying to find the motherly warmth he missed out on.
    via FitMindTrainer
  • 06
    It is honestly the most heart- wrenching and sweet thing I have ever experienced. I am just asking for any prayers or good vibes you can send our way for a fast and full recovery for this brave little fighter.
    via FitMindTrainer

  • It's so difficult for us to read stories about bonded kitty siblings being separated, but out of all of them, this one is the least bad. Because we know the kitties are in good hands. We can tell, just from the description of this story, from the friend crying, from you jumping in to do the right thing, that the kitties are going to be safe and sound in your hands. And the fact that you and the other cat owner are friends gives us even more hope, the fact that you are already talking about kitty playdates when everyone is feeling a little better. That is how things should be. 

  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10619682304
    via FitMindTrainer
  • 08
    Already posted this below. Just wanted to share an update as I couldn't figure out how to add this video my previous post. He seems MUCH better. When he's not sleeping he's either suckling on this blanket or my shirt. Hope he doesn't grow out of it :)
    via FitMindTrainer
  • 09
    My friend was absolutely devastated and crying her eyes out today because she found herself in an impossible situation where she could only adopt one of two bonded brothers.
    via FitMindTrainer
  • 10
    While she took the healthy kitten, this poor little guy was dealing with kitty cough, and since she has other cats at home, she simply could not risk bringing the infection back to her house and putting her other pets in danger.
    via FitMindTrainer
  • 11
    The sheer thought of this sick and vulnerable baby being sent back to a shelter cage to sit in the dark while his brother went to a warm home was just too much for me to handle, so I stepped in and told her right then that there was zero chance I was letting him go back.
    via FitMindTrainer
  • 12
    He has clearly been through so much trauma already because he was taken from his mother way too early, and now he spends his entire day tucked into my shoulder or arm, suckling on my sleeves and nursing for comfort as if he is desperately trying to find the motherly warmth he missed out on.
    via FitMindTrainer
  • 13
    It is honestly the most heart- wrenching and sweet thing I have ever experienced. I am just asking for any prayers or good vibes you can send our way for a fast and full recovery for this brave little fighter.
    via FitMindTrainer

  • We have a feeling, deep in our hearts, that everything is going to be purrfectly good here, and that you will get the two decades that you want with this cat. With love like this coming from you, with the level of care that we can tell you are going to provide this kitty with, we know that there is no way you would ever leave her alone when she needs you. You are the kind of cat owner who would spot illnesses as early as possible, and sometimes, those few days can make the biggest difference. We wish you all many, many happy and healthy years together. 

  • 14
    Maleficent-Neat2964 Can you take the healthy kitten your friend adopted so the bonded pair can stay together? You said she already has other cats. Really would be a shame to keep them separated. Always better to keep bonded pets together. You could keep them separated until your little guy recovers. It sounds like he has kennel cough which isn't unusual when adopting from shelters. If he's on antibiotics he'll probably recover quicker than you think. He is absolutely adorable!! Hope he feels bet
    via Maleficent-Neat2964
  • 15
    FitMindTrainer OP I plan to once he's in the clear, we can cat sit for eachother so extra bonus
    via FitMindTrainer
  • 16
    CoppertopTX Take heart. I, too, adopted a wee little kitten that was separated from his mum too soon, and was only 5 weeks old when he landed in my hands. That was 4 November of 2023. He's now a healthy, happy boy with three kitty siblings to play with.
    via CoppertopTX
  • 17
    ThaloBleu I rescued my son when he was 4 weeks old and rejected by his bio mother. He was a replacement milk bottle baby and the most affectionate, bonded to me, cat ever. I had 17.5 incredible years with him and I miss him daily since he d d over 2 years ago. I hope you and your new baby have as long and happy life together.
    via ThaloBleu
  • 18
    FitMindTrainer OP Hope I get 17.5 years of this :)
    via FitMindTrainer
  • 19
    Cheezburger Image 10619682560
    via FitMindTrainer

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

aww wholesome cat adorable adoption heartwarming cute adopted story Cats rescue
Scroll Down For The Next Article