People find a wild catamount struggling to stay afloat in the sea, rescue him from the water, and help the exhausted wild cat make it back to shore

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Sep 15, 2026 4:45 PM EDT

Every cat can be petted at least one time. 

We have said this for the longest time, of course, but we will reiterate because we think it's appropriate at this moment. One day, without a doubt, we will end up on the news for trying to pet something that we should not have. At least I will. As someone who gets irrationally excited about every single cat, wild and housecat, and also as someone who gets jealous of every other person who gets to have a bond with a big cat that we can't have… yes, I'll end up on the news for trying to pet a lion or something. 

Why do some people get to be part of a lion pack and I cannot? Why do some people choose their profession so early on that they can help raise cheetahs and then have bonds with them for life? Why couldn't I? These are questions that I ask myself every time I see something like that. And so if I were these people in this story, who somehow came across a drowning wild cat in the ocean and got to save it, then yes, I, too, would have petted that big cat. When life gives you lemons… you must accept that you may have lost a finger or two in the process and then make that lemonade. 

And hey, what they did might have been dangerous, but we hope that every one of us would have done the same. Maybe the petting was overboard, but they did save this wild cat, and that is what matters at the end of the day. 

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    "catamount saved from drowning"

    CCM Maybe him lost his family
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    Maybe him lost his family
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    Maybe him lost his family
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    Maybe him lost his family
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    Maybe him lost his family
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    Maybe him lost his family
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    Maybe him lost his family
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    Maybe him lost his family
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    Maybe him lost his family
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    Maybe him lost his family
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    Maybe him tost his family
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    Maybe him ost his family
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  • Look, we understand everything that everyone is saying. This cat really is not a cat that you should generally be petting. Whether it's a catmount or a bobcat or anything else, it's a wild cat, and you probably should not be petting it. With that said… we would have also petted it. Because we are weak. And that is a cute cat. And it's the only opportunity that we would ever have to pet a cat like that. We would do it. We would expect to lose a finger or two, but we would do it. FOMO. YOLO. Would. 

  • 13
    MediumAcceptable129 Uh thats not a cat for petting
    via MediumAcceptable129
  • 14
    SoulWager You can pet any cat at least once.
    via SoulWager
  • 15
    Nervous_Ad8514 I might save it, but i would never try to pet it
    via Nervous_Ad8514
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    Plane-Tune-820 Eh I'd definitely pet it, but I'd be expecting to lose a finger at minimum.
    via Plane-Tune-820
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    Pantles I know it's a happy save, but this distressed, wild animal, who has been rescued moments from d th, being petted and stroked by strangers, causing more exhaustion and distress. Plus the high pitched "baby vocals", that cats and many wild animals hate won't be helping. All I see is a scared animal. Who lets a small child pet a wild cat? C⑯D
    via Pantles
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    Get it out of the wet box, put it in a dry one with a blanket to warm it up. Give it fresh water, because you know it's going to be so thirsty. Give it one of those fish to eat, so your hands look less tasty.
    via Pantles
  • 19
    Speak to it in low, soothing tones if you must (like how a purr is a low tone). Get back to shore, keep away from crowds and either call a vet/ animal control or see if it can leave on its own. It might be friend shaped to us, but we are not friend shaped to it.
    via Pantles
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    kiwigeekmum “It might be friend shaped to us, but we are not friend shaped to it." This!! The cat is so scared. When he gets enough energy back, he's going to defend himself!
    via kiwigeekmum

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