Couple happily adopts a kitten only to be called back and told that since the adoption, the kitten's brother is heartbroken, so they go back, adopt the brother too, and the siblings are so thankful: 'They latched onto each other right away'

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Aug 6, 2026 1:30 PM EDT

Bonded pairs of cats cannot be separated. 

We think that people outside the cat world are not really aware of this concept. Bonded pairs. Cats are supposed to be solitary animals, right? That is what people generally think about them. Cats prefer to be on their own, without anyone bothering them. But anyone who actually owns a cat knows otherwise. If my kitty actually wanted me to leave her alone, then why does she climb into my bed every night, snuggle into my neck and purr? Why does she wait, every single day, for me to sit in the purrfect position on the couch so that she could rest on top of me? Cats love their humans so much. They bond with us more than we know. We know that. That's proof that they can bond. But they don't always bond with us. Sometimes, cats bond with other cats. That is what we call a bonded pair. 

Bonded pairs come together in different ways. Sometimes, you adopt two cats completely separately, and after that, they bond with one another. Sometimes, stray cats bond, and one won't come to you if you don't take the other. And sometimes, like the kittens in this story, they are littermates. These kittens were born together, and they have been bonded ever since. Except that somehow, the shelter missed it. They didn't realize that they separated a bonded pair until one of the kittens went home with the family who adopted it. It was instant - her brother shut down, stopped being friendly, stopped being interested in anything. He was heartbroken, separated from his other half. Because of that, other adopters were not interested in him either. So, the shelter called the family back and told them what had happened. And thankfully, they had room in their hearts and in their lives for yet another kitten. 

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    "After we adopted PonPon we went back for her brother Uribō who wasn’t being adopted as he was so shut down. Best decision ever."

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  • Oh, seeing this picture would have instantly convinced us to adopt. The poor thing looks legitimately heartbroken. Thank you for reuniting these beautiful kitties. 

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    It took him a few weeks to really warm up, but once he felt comfortable he very quickly came out of his shell. Classic orange - very sweet with his single brain cell.
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    Serious_Composer_130 You made the right choice!!!
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    Ottershorts OP Absolutely! We were pretty nervous because Ponpon is such a Gremlin (we thought she might be really bossy), but they are inseparable and she helped him come out of his shell!
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  • She's his other half. He needed her to come out of his shell. And we're sure that she needed him just as much. Once they were back together, things were bound to look up. 

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    coolcoolcool485 Raising littermates from little kittens has been so much more fun and rewarding than I had expected. Helped a lot with the dinosaur stage too lol
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    Ottershorts OP I will always try to get two cats from now on - it has honestly helped them so much. Luckily they get along so well
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    Magnetic_Kitty Since they were adopted with some time between did you have to introduce them to each other slowly like with two new cats or did they seem to remember each other and not need that?
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    Ottershorts OP Uribō was still at the vet clinic (who was adopting them out) when she went to get her vaccines, so they got to hang out together for a bit :) They latched onto one another right away and we brought them back home together. So nope! No awkward reintroduction phase
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    Parking_Cat_4310 Some cats choose their humans. Some cats choose their family. Uribó got both
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    Ottershorts OP Aw jeez
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    nexus6ca 1 kitten good. 2 kittens beter
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    Ottershorts OP I heartily agree!!
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    APC-1969 Why wouldn't the rescue have adopted them as a bonded pair?
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    Ottershorts OP There were quite a few kittens when we adopted Pon Pon - I think Uribō got really lost in the "crowd." He was hiding under things and trying to not be visible - it wasn't clear to us that they were a bonded pair until we got him home.
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