After this shop owner feeds a stray cat once, the cat comes back every single day to hug him, showing him gratitude in the cutest way: 'I open my arms, and he comes over to hug my neck'

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Jul 28, 2026 5:30 PM EDT

Hugging a cat is one of the best feelings in the world. 

Every cat owner knows that cuddling with your cat is one of life's greatest privileges. It just is. No matter how many times it happens, you are thankful for it. You just don't take something like that for granted. Cats don't show physical affection like that to just anyone. 11 years into cat ownership, still, whenever my cat comes to me of her own volition and lies in my lap or cuddles with me in bed, it's amazing. Hearing her purr heals every other bad thing that might have happened to me throughout the day. Because I know how special it is. Every cat owner does. For a cat to choose you and show you that they love you in a language that they know you will understand. 

As for today's affectionate kitty, clearly he chose his person from the first moment. One act of kindness was all it took. He was a stray, he was cold, he was hungry, and out of nowhere, a person came to him and gave him the warmth, food and love that he was missing. And now, he repays this person. Every single day, this cat comes to this man's shop and gives him a hug. 

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    "Stray Cat that was saved by store owner, comes back every day to hug him."

    Peee! LAV
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  • This shop owner did save the cat, but it isn't quite as simple as the caption makes it sound, of course. 

    According to The Dodo, it was over a year ago that Ferhat Hayat, who works in a glassware shop in Turkey, found a tiny orange and white kitten hanging out around the front of his store. The momma wasn't around, the kitty looked hungry, and the shop owner and his father were kind and decided to take him in for the day. “We fed him well and made sure his belly was full. He hung out all day,” Ferhat explained. “When we closed up for the night, we prepared him a place outside so he wouldn’t get cold.”

     

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    000 DORE 000
    via DarthiusFatticus

  • The kitty instantly got attached. The next morning, they found him lying on one of the chairs meant for the employees, and no one could turn him away. “He’s been with us ever since,” Ferhat said. “He has received all his vaccinations and check-ups.” 

    Since then, the cat comes in every day to show his gratitude in what might be the cutest way possible - hugging the shop owner. Yes, actually hugging. “Whenever he looks at me, I open my arms, and he comes over to hug my neck,” Ferhat explained, and you can see it yourself in the camera footage. 

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    F Otterbotanical man. There are a lot of animal behaviors that people over- anthropomorphize, claiming human emotions where it's usually something way more basic and selfish...
    via Otterbotanical
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    But this? C'mon. The cat isn't scratching, it's not just finding a warm spot, it's just... Leaning into a hug. There really isn't anything else this could be. If he trained it by putting a treat next to his ear, I think the cat behavior/body language would be way different. Anticipation and reward makes them eager, this cat is relaxing into him. G din.
    via Otterbotanical
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    DarthiusFatticus OP I know. I still cant believe theres people that believe Cats cant show this much love and appreciation! But then again a lof of people have never been blessed with the love of a Cat.
    via DarthiusFatticus
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    I adopted my Cat when he was a few months old from a shelter, and he lived with me for 16 years until he sadly passed away. He would hug me like this all the time and show so much love and affection every day! He would even jump between my arm and neck to sleep everytime he saw me lie down on the couch and sleep with me for hours. Cats are just something else.
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    doubleAAeeVee Saved from what? I need closure
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    sercankd They did an interview with the guy, he said that he found him as a newborn little kitten with eyes still closed and mother nowhere to be found, then he says something like he grew up in the shop
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    sck178 people who think cats aren't affectionate have never bothered to get to know one
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