shadowsong reads.

For all the times that we find cats to be abrasive, arrogant and unkind, they know when it is time to show up and be a bro. Sometimes it is in the form of providing comfort in our deepest and darkest times of need, and other times, like in this story, it is literally saving our lives. It is a part of the extremely polar relationships that cats like to form, where there is little to no middle ground in any part of it.

Making the good sides of caring for a cat incredible and the bad sides insufferable. But because the good is just that important and meaningful, we happily overlook the bad and focus all our attention on the good that may or may not return one day. And when you come across stories like the one we have for you today, you will believe in the incredible good of cats no matter how felines have treated you in the past.

Some people believe in humanity. Some believe in a higher power. But we, at the I Can Has Cheezburger HQ? We wholeheartedly believe in the Cat Distribution System. The meowsterious force behind so many successful cat adoptions, working from behind the scenes of the world to match the cats in need to their hoomans - and the people in need of a cat to their forever felines. It's hard not to appreciate what the CDS does, despite no one actually knowing how it does what it does. Mysterious and adored - just like cats themselves.

In some cases of CDS matchmaking, it's the cat who insists on being adopted. Like in this particular adoption story - the cat was in need and yelled until a kind person took him in. Some people wait for literal years until the CDS sends them a fluffy feline friend. But others? Others just have a wholesome friend who saves a kitten from the woods and asks you to foster them… until you realise this kitten chose you to be their forever hooman, and your home to be their forever home. We love a foster fail, because it means a successful adoption.

But you know what we specifically appreciate about adoption stories like this one? The fact that this cat was all alone. No feline or human family in sight - this smol kitten didn't even know how to fend for himself. But he knew to ask for help from the right person. No cat deserves to be alone, and we're happy to know this kitten will never be alone again.

Being adopted by a stray cat has to be one of the most special feelings ever. The honor that you feel. How lucky you feel. Being chosen. Of course, a nice stray is not always a stray. Oftentimes, cats who are very happy to be around humans are cats who have been around humans before. They're not afraid, and so they bond harder. And sometimes, the nice stray that you find actually belongs to someone else, and the right thing to do, heartbreaking as it might be, is giving the cat back to its owner. 

That's what the woman in this story did. She rescued a stray cat, found out it belonged to her neighbor, and did the right thing - giving the cat back. She did that once, she did it twice, and the third time… Well, let's just say that at some point, if a cat is being neglected at home and keeps running away, maybe the cat shouldn't be with the people who don't seem to care about it. 

2025 is nearly over, and honestly, this has been one long year. So many things happened, there were days that we legitimately didn't know if we were going to make it or not. But we did. And we did it spectacularly. For one reason and one reason only. Cats. No matter what was going on in the world throughout the year, the internet continuously had cat stories going viral, specifically cat adoption stories. We get it, of course, amongst the madness of the universe, we needed some wholesomeness, and there is nothing more wholesome than stories of adorable kitties finding their forever homes. 

As is a tradition at this point, now that the end of the year is coming along, we have put together the most viral, the most heartwarming, the most amazing cat adoption stories of the year. Kittens, senior cats, sick cats, cats flying into people's houses through their windows or being handed to them in drive-throughs, we have seen it all this year. And we hope to see many, many more ameowzing stories just like these next year. 

The furrigid temperatures are coming in hot (irony intended), and it's important to remember that there are other ways to keep warm without racing up your gas bill this winter! You can drink hot cocoa, look at some heartwarming cat memes, and bring your favorite feline as close as hoomanly pawssible to share in their toasty warmth.

If you're not a winter purrson, this season might be a little challenging for you. The winter lovers, on the other hand, especially those who are cat parents, are living for the cold weather. You can stay inside guilt-free, you don't have to walk your catto in the crisp cold air of a winter's morning, and most of all… your cat will be equally, if not more, lazy than you! Nothing is better than having a feline sidekick who makes you feel more purrductive than you actually are.

So, cat meowthers and pawthers, remember to bundle up, snuggle up, and warm yourself a toasty cup of hot cocoa this winter season. We're not even in winter yet. This means that the coldest is yet to come, and the best we can do is hunker down inside with a smile as our fuzzy felines give us the nice, warm hug we've been needing.

How is it pawssible that the winter is nearly here? If the frigid tempurratures and toasty hot chocolate wasn't enough for you, then you are probably aware that we're closing in on Christmas. Yup, that means Santa Claws will be swooping down our chimneys when we least expect it, and our cats are going to have a meltdown once they realize Santa has them on the naughty list this year. Why, you might ask. Well, why not? They climb our Christmas trees like they're an olympian, they slap us awake if we're two minutes late on breakfast, and they have a way about them akin to a cartoon supervillain…

But, sweet hoomans, you are on the nice list this year. You've spent the entire 12 months catering toward your fluffy fellas every desire and need, and now, you're humble help has paid off. You can finally kick back, relax, and watch some cheesy Christmas comedy movies and curl up under a blanket you won during a workplace White Elephant last year. Sounds like heaven, right? Except, one thing is missing: feline funnies and another catto in the flesh. Grab your precious pet, and lock in. The feel-good funnies aren't going to scroll through themselves!

When winter comes, we all have to find creative ways to stay warm during extremely cold days. 

There are several different approaches one may try when fighting the cold. First, the clothes. While we would all love to stay in our PJs all day long and never leave our bed, most people actually have to leave their home, which means they have to wrap themselves in the warmest clothes possible. A cosy sweater, a big pair of boots, a fussy hat, and a coat are a must during the coldest days of the year, and they can ensure you arrive where you were headed in one piece.

Then, one can also indulge in a nice, warm beverage. It can be coffee, tea, or even hot chocolate, as long as it has steam coming out of the top, and it makes your throat and belly warm. You can even go as far as taking soup with you if it helps you weather the storm.

While the cat memes below don't exactly help us physically fight the cold, they do warm our hearts a great deal, so we consider that a win. If you agree, go ahead and scroll down to enjoy this heartwarming collection. Then, check out even more of these hisstercial cat memes.