Alabama woman receives surprise visit from the farm mouser tomcat, who led a stray kitten to her doorstep and disappeared: 'He left the same way he came, leaving me with his child. Men.'

Author image for Ayala Sorotsky
Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Jun 3, 2026 7:00 PM EDT

Kittens get adopted in the most bizarre ways sometimes.

Some adoption stories are a linear "found cat, he lives here now" narrative. Some other adoptions, though, are much more complex. And when it comes to the perplexingly silly events with this kitten's adoption process, it makes us think the Cat Distribution System really has a strange sense of humor. But also a good and big heart, of course. We love a successful adoption story, no matter the intricate plot, as long as a cat and a human both get their happy ending.

Let's start with the bizarre fact that this kitten was handled by a tomcat - very not typical. It wouldn't be the first "mama tomcat" who cares for kittens that we've heard about, but it's still weird that we've heard of two almost back to back. And both being big orange bois? Well, that's just a classic orange cat chaos, we assume. It follows them everywhere. Even if it's in the wholesome shape of a cute kitten.

And funnily enough, it's also not the first rural kitten find we've heard of this week. We recently brought you the story of a lethargic kitten in a rural area saved by a kind woman. And while this kitten below was not lethargic or sick (oh, thank gosh), it's still weird we have such similar elements of kitten adoption stories happening in the same week. We're telling you, the CDS has a very particular sense of humor.

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  • 01
    I found a kitten in the middle of nowhere Kitten Help
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10635094528
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571
  • 03
    I (F38) live in the deep south. (USA) down a rural dirt road. Nearest town is quite a bit away. I've seen strays before but they don't usually last long before being k led by coyotes and stray dogs.
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10635095808
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  • 05
    There is a Tom cat (orange cat in the photos) who lives in my neighbors barn. He brought me a present. Like literally brought me this baby. I had a cat for 20+ years who passed away last
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571
  • 06
    year and I swore off cats for a while but it seems the Tom thinks I need one. Neighbors say there is no litter in their barn (we searched) so we have no idea where kitten came from or who mom is.
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571
  • 07
    How old is the kitten? He seems to want to eat wet kitty food. Should I try a slurry? Formula? I think he's male since i think he might have little trouble puffs. Sorry if Im rambling Im panicking a little. Nearest vet is 30 minutes away.
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10635096832
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  • 09
    NEXT SERVICE DATE: 11/12/2026 MILES: 192263 18+ INFO
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  • 10
    Fuzzy-Isopod-8571 OP I have a spare dog crate I set up and the Tom cat followed me into the house with the kitten and went inside the crate where he is having a great time. He seems very attached to the kitten.
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571
  • 11
    Cheezburger Image 10635096320
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  • 12
    curiosityandthecattt congrats on your two new cats! lol
    via curiosityandthecattt
  • 13
    Fuzzy-Isopod-8571 OP Mr Kitty (the orange one) is not mine and is a barn cat and professional mouser. Unfortunately he has abandoned his offspring with me.
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571
  • 14
    curiosityandthecattt awww bummer. do you live in a rural area? Fuzzy-Isopod-8571 OP Yes. Southern Bama down a dirt road in the middle of nowhere
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571 | curiosityandthecattt
  • 15
    curiosityandthecattt do you plan on keeping the baby indoor only? if so you might want to consider rescuing/adopting a similar aged kitten or another cat that does well with kittens. cats who are raised solo often have more behavior problems. ☺ if you're letting him outside make sure he's got vaccines, flea tick and heartworm preventative, and fixed at about 4 months.
    via curiosityandthecattt
  • 16
    Fuzzy-Isopod-8571 OP Not sure if I can keep him yet. Kittens are a lot and I have 60 houseplants including some that are not cat friendly. I would have to move plants to the porch. I also have two dogs. One loves babies and is already losing his mind trying to mother the poor thing and the other has been raised with adult cats but not kittens. She is a heeler mix and pushes boundaries. The kitten
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571
  • 17
    already had to swipe at her to tell her to back up from the crate. But I am keeping them separated so they dont accidentally hurt him. I also dont like the idea of outside cats since many of them get k led or eaten here. Only Mr Kitty the Tom has lasted more than a year. I may rehome him if I cannot keep.
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571
  • 18
    soberietyy Looks good just keep an eye on them since adult cats can get a little rough with kittens
    via soberietyy
  • 19
    Fuzzy-Isopod-8571 OP He got bored and yelled loudly that he is done and wants out. Then he left the same way he came leaving me with his child. Men.
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571

  • We laughed so much reading this. Ain't she right, ladies?

    But still, it's very not typical for a tomcat to care for a kitten like this. They'll usually pose a danger to small kittens, but this one almost acts like a mama cat. Besides the fact that he then left, like this woman mentioned.

  • 20
    redt6 Congratulations on your Manx he's beautiful your orange knew you needed a friend.
    via redt6
  • 21
    This is Stormy our Manx at 5 weeks and 1 pound mom stopped nursing and was found in a woodpile. This is her 3 years later and she's a solid 10 lb there's not an ounce of fat, I say she's built Chevy square body
    via redt6
  • 22
    Cheezburger Image 10635099136
    via redt6

  • Now that's a beautiful transformation! We always love before and after cat adoption pictures, because you can see cats grow with a family. Knowing they grow with love, care, affection, and a full belly (for sure) makes us very happy.

    Generally, knowing that cat people all around the world are always up and ready to help cats everywhere warms our hearts. We're eternally grateful for every person who heeds the call of the Cat Distribution System and adopts a cat sent their way, or at least helps them find their loving forever home.

  • 23
    Fuzzy-Isopod-8571 OP I suspect the kitten I found is around 4 weeks. Did you have to give your kitty formula and how often did you feed her? Did you have to stimulate her to potty? So far the kitten has not pottied or used kitty litter as far as I can tell. He wants to gobble wet good but is very wobbly and doesn't seem to understand how to.
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571
  • 24
    OtherThumbs I love that an orange brought random chaos, as orange does. Good orange. Good human for taking the baby as instructed by the agent of orange chaos.
    via OtherThumbs
  • 25
    Prestigious-Bluejay5 Orange cat was like, "I don't know what to do with him. Here, you take him."
    via Prestigious-Bluejay5
  • 26
    Fuzzy-Isopod-8571 OP Honestly that sounds like Mr Kitty's personality. He comes over for pets and treats and he maybe catches a mouse or two in my greenhouse then he's like "ok, I'm out, peace."
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571
  • 27
    Prestigious-Bluejay5 Neglected to add, "...and don't say I never gave you anything." Lol.
    via Prestigious-Bluejay5
  • 28
    no_id_never What are you thinking for names?
    via no_id_never
  • 29
    Fuzzy-Isopod-8571 OP He's a Manx so something that fits? My husband is French and likes Norse names. And of course he's babying this small creature. He loves cats and his orange tabby passed away after they had 16 years together. I can already tell he's bonding hard.
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571
  • 30
    ultracat123 Not an expert! But they look to be around 4-6 weeks old. I would definitely try out some wet food for them and see if they settle with it nicely. Is it pate (the paste sorta kind) or shreds in sauce? Pate would be better at this age I think. Make sure you get them to a vet to get checked out ASAP, of course.
    via ultracat123
  • 31
    Fuzzy-Isopod-8571 OP Kitten pate. I picked it up at the dollar general bcuz that was what was close by
    via Fuzzy-Isopod-8571
  • 32
    ultracat123 Sounds good to me! Also I should've clarified about the vet thing; it's not an extreme rush, just make sure they get checked up for issues and get their vaccines and all that. Sooner rather than later.
    via ultracat123

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wholesome cat adoption heartwarming kindness cat adoption kitten Alabama Cat distribution system Cats
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