'We only meant to get one': After losing their loyal cat of 21 years, couple finally feels ready to adopt again, but instead of one cat, they end up with an adorable bonded pair

Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor

Oct 31, 2026 9:30 AM EDT

Bonded pairs of cats are bonded for a reason, and they should not be separated.

Cats have a reputation for being independent little creatures, but anyone who's ever been a cat owner knows just how much love cats have to give. Cats form incredibly close bonds, and we're not talking only about bonds with humans. Some cats bond with other cats. They spend their days cuddling each other, grooming one another, playing together, and generally just being best friends. They have their own little routines. They get each other. We call these kinds of cats bonded pairs. And we cannot emphasize enough how important it is to not separate them.

Adopting a bonded pair together is the best thing that you can do for them. Shelters sometimes have pairs who rely on each other for comfort and companionship, and finding them a home together means they don't have to lose the friendship that makes them feel safe. Moving into a new home can be a big adjustment for any cat, but having a familiar face nearby can make that transition so much easier. And their new humans? They are winners too. It's a two-for-one deal on all the things we love about cats. Twice the purring, twice the chaos, twice the tiny paws appearing wherever they're least expected. You'll get to watch their personalities shine individually while enjoying all those little moments that remind you just how much they mean to each other. Sometimes, the best adoption stories come with two happy endings curled up side by side.

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"We adopted sister cats today even though we only meant to get one"

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This has to be my own personal biggest fear. I did not grow up with cats. I don't know what it's like to lose a cat. I've only ever had one - my baby that I adopted when I was seventeen years old. She's still with me, sitting next to me as I type all of these articles. Over 11 years with her, and I don't know what I am ever going to do without her. I love cats in general, of course, but she is mine. My special girl. My love. My life. I imagine I'll feel somewhat like this. Maybe a part of me will want to adopt a new cat, just because I love them all so much, but maybe not. Maybe it'll take me time to get there.
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Maybe this is the way to get over the pain of losing one cat. Don't adopt just one, adopt two. Two times the cats means two times the love, two times the cuddles, and two times the chaos. Maybe with double of everything, it'll be easier to handle the pain. More distracting that way.
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We're so, so happy that you didn't separate these two. Some people truly don't understand the meaning of separating a bonded pair. It's like someone taking away your soulmate. You'll live, but you will not be the same, and you will never be as happy as you were before. We appreciate it so much when shelters insist on these bonded pairs getting adopted in couples, because for some cats, it's better to stay in the shelter together than it is to be adopted separately.
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