A community cat caretaker was feeding a colony when a starving orange kitten followed a family of ducklings straight into her life

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Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
Jul 22, 2026 8:45 AM EDT

This tiny orange kitten found his way home by following the most unexpected tour guides imaginable.

A community cat caretaker shared Jupiter's unusual arrival with Reddit's r/catdistributionsystem subreddit after spotting him in the most unexpected place. While sitting on the porch and feeding the neighborhood cats, they watched a line of ducklings run past the house. There was no mother duck in sight. Instead, a tiny orange kitten was following closely behind them, apparently trusting the ducklings to lead the way.

The kitten, later named Jupiter, was only around six or seven weeks old. Beneath all his fluffy fur, he was painfully thin. He hissed when he was first picked up, but that attitude disappeared as soon as food came out. Jupiter quickly realized he was safe and turned into his rescuer's newest best friend.

He is now staying in foster care while he gains enough weight to be neutered and adopted. Jupiter is eager to meet the resident cats, though he has to remain separated until he is fully vetted. Judging by how badly he wants their attention, he may have been alone for quite a while before joining the duckling parade.

Luckily, he did not have to wait long for company. About a week later, some girls in the neighborhood found a black-and-white kitten who was slightly older than Jupiter. She was named Venus and placed in the quarantine area with him.

Jupiter was thrilled. Venus was less impressed.

He immediately became obsessed with his new roommate, while she responded to his excitement with the patience of someone who had not agreed to this arrangement. Both kittens are getting vetted, and Jupiter's main job for now is eating as much as possible.

The ducklings may have disappeared, but they deserve some credit. Their tiny follower ended up with food, shelter, a new friend, and a much better chance at a happy life.

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  • 01
    So I kind of manage a colony of community cats in my neighborhood. They have been TNRed (there's a couple males I'm still trying to get) so there shouldn't be any kittens.
    via UmpireReal3943
  • 02
    A week ago, I was sitting on the porch, feeding the cats and watched a row of ducklings run past my house. This was strange because we are a mile from the river and there was no mother duck.
    via UmpireReal3943
  • 03
    88
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  • 04
    Anyways, right behind the ducklings was this very skinny little 6-7 week old kitten. He was practically a skeleton under that
    via UmpireReal3943
  • 05
    o P
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  • 06
    floof! He was hissy when I first grabbed him, but as soon as he realized I was feeding him he became my new best friend!
    via UmpireReal3943
  • 07
    So Jupiter is fostering with me for a couple weeks until he's big enough to get neutered and adopted. I have no idea what happened with the ducklings lol
    via UmpireReal3943
  • 08
    هدوه
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  • 09
    UPDATE: Jupiter has a friend now! The neighbor girls found a little black and white kitten about a week older than Jupey, so I named her Venus! Jupiter is OBSESSED with her.
    via UmpireReal3943
  • 10
    I think Jupiter was alone for awhile before he followed the ducklings into our neighborhood, because he wants to hang out with my own cats so badly! (But he can't because he's not vetted yet.)
    via UmpireReal3943
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    Cheezburger Image 10649713664
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  • 12
    So his response to me plopping Venus in the quarantine space was and Venus's response has been ☺☺☺.
    via UmpireReal3943
  • 13
    Anyways, they both get vetted on Wednesday! The main thing is to get some weight on Jupey as he's nothing but skin and bones under the floof. I'll post pictures in the comments, if I can!
    via UmpireReal3943
  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10649716992
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  • 15
    Superb-Coyote5972 Majestic looking kitty! Very striking! Such a cutie
    via Superb-Coyote5972
  • 16
    Wattaday Wow! Look at those whiskers. And all that long ear hair! He's gonna be a super floof!!
    via Wattaday

  • For such a tiny kitten, Jupiter somehow had enough floof to look twice his size. It's one of those coats that makes you think you're looking at a chunky little fuzzball until you realize there's barely any kitten underneath. Give him a few good meals, and he's going to grow into all that fluff in no time.

  • 17
    PaleDark4 He's going to be such a big floofer! He knew you are the right human to approach!!
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  • 18
    honeyapp He is so so beautiful!! I'm sure he will get a great forever home
    via honeyapp

  • Something tells us Jupiter is going to have plenty of adoption applications waiting for him. Cute orange kitten? Check. Giant fluffy coat? Check. Sweet personality? Check. A rescue story involving ducklings? That might be the easiest way to win people over. He's got everything going for him.

  • 19
    Jupitermoon555 He's a beautiful boy! Lovely little duckling too great name
    via Jupitermoon555
  • 20
    Different-Subject353 Duck, duck, duck, KITTEN
    via Different-Subject353
  • 21
    Correct_Discount6054 This is a beautiful baby! Thank you for caring
    via Correct_Discount6054
  • 22
    Topsidergal And I love the walrus mustache!
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  • 23
    Uprooted_Vt_to_RI I'm wondering where the ducklings came from, and how Jupiter became a member of the flock! This has the makings of a wonderful children's book! 666666H♥
    via Uprooted_Vt_to_RI

  • Someone needs to turn Jupiter and the Ducklings into an illustrated children's book. Every page would have another adorable scene of one tiny orange fluffball waddling behind a row of ducklings, completely convinced he belongs there. By the final page, Jupiter has a full belly, a new friend, and a family waiting for him. That's a pretty solid ending.

  • 24
    Ok-Opportunity-2043 Jupiter is so stinking cute! Beautiful ear floofs, too!
    via Ok-Opportunity-2043
  • 25
    Deiser I misread this as "Jupiter is fostering me" and I was so confused how a kitten was fostering a human.
    via Deiser

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wholesome heartwarming Cat distribution system Cats ducks feline adorable foster rescue
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