A Reddit user’s touching journey from earning the trust of a wary stray to becoming inseparable companions has melted hearts across the internet.
Racking up more than 19,000 upvotes in less than 24 hours, the post by user u/AlreadyFifty on November 2 features a slideshow of photos showing a gray fluffy cat perched on the user’s foot, cuddling outdoors, and even lounging inside their car.
But it wasn’t always this way. The caption explains: “[It] took [eight] months to get this stray to come near me. Now, he lays with me and jumps in my car whenever I get home.”
When asked why the cat isn’t allowed inside, u/AlreadyFifty explained that they’ve already taken in a few strays.
“When people don’t want them anymore, they just throw them out or move and leave them behind,” they wrote. “Some people only want kittens and when they’re not kittens anymore, they’re homeless.”
Despite the heartbreak, the user has made it their mission to help as many animals as possible.
They said in the comments: “I do the best I can to feed them and find them new homes, but I’m already teetering on what I can afford feeding the half-dozen strays I feed now. Over the last decade I’ve relocated roughly 85 cats and half-a-dozen dogs. I wish I was exaggerating.”
Reddit Reacts
While many commenters praised the user’s compassion, others questioned whether the cat was truly a stray.
“I don’t think that’s a stray—that looks like a well-kept indoor/outdoor cat,” one user wrote. Another added, “I’m not seeing any matting, which would be the biggest sign for a long-haired cat. Just because there are other strays doesn’t mean this guy is one.”
Indeed, cats that live on the streets often show visible signs of hardship. They’re more prone to infections, injuries, and malnutrition.
The Reality for Homeless Cats
According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an estimated 60 to 100 million homeless cats roam the U.S. These cats—descended from domesticated animals—depend on humans for food, water, and shelter. Without care, many endure short, harsh lives.
Outdoor cats face severe threats from contagious diseases such as feline AIDS, leukemia, and infectious peritonitis. Even minor wounds can develop into life-threatening infections if untreated. Respiratory illnesses can leave them barely able to see or breathe, while ear mites and fleas can cause debilitating pain and blood loss.
For many, life outdoors is a slow struggle. As PETA notes, feral cats “never die of old age.”
Newsweek reached out to u/AlreadyFifty for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.