A stray calico cat has found a loving home after seeking shelter in a couple’s shed.
In a TikTok video posted Thursday by user @pollyyyward, the cat, named Matty, is seen relaxing on a towel inside the shed. The video’s text tells Matty’s story: he wandered in looking for a safe place to sleep, having lost his home.
The captions read, “Hey I hope you don’t mind me living in your shed, I don’t have a home anymore.” Matty slowly warms up to his new caretaker, enjoying treats but still cautious. “I like when you sit with me. You call me Matt, I think I like that name. I don’t remember my old name anymore. I almost forgot what affection felt like. This is nice.”
As the video continues, Matty grows closer to his new family. He even meets their dog before being officially welcomed inside the house. “You showed me the garden. Now I wait here for you. I met a terrifying beast that lives with you. Went inside where you live for the first time. Learnt how to play. How to love again. To be loved is to be changed,” the text says.
The post’s caption reads: “Our little Matty the stray cat’s story so far, we love you Matty.”
Experts estimate there are between 60 and 100 million stray and feral cats in the U.S. These cats face many dangers, including predators, hunger, and harsh weather. Outdoor cats live much shorter lives than indoor cats, often only surviving about five years compared to indoor cats who can live into their 20s.
One of the greatest threats to outdoor cats is car accidents. Every year, about 5.4 million cats in America are hit by vehicles, with nearly 97 percent dying from these accidents.
Matty’s story struck a chord on TikTok, where the video has gained over 191,700 views and 26,000 likes. Many users shared their own experiences with rescued cats.
One viewer, Emmi, wrote, “I once met a cat like this. It took two years for him to let me pet him. I found burn marks on his skin… He spent his last four years cuddled up with me. Love you always, Polo.”
Another commenter, PrimlyR0se, said, “Not me sobbing over here when I see them clean, fat and happy on the sofa.”Chelsea Skye added, “I dream for this for all the kitties in the world.”
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