Not all feline families get the chance to stay together after adoption—but one gray kitten named Fifi and her mother, Fiona, beat the odds in a touching reunion that’s captured hearts online.
Fifi was first adopted in December from the Lewis County Humane Society in Glenfield, New York. Her mother, Fiona, was adopted separately but was later returned to the shelter. In an unexpected twist, Fiona was reunited with her daughter after her photo was shared online.
Mandee Flanders, 36, who had adopted Fifi, recognized Fiona’s face in the shelter’s post and acted quickly. “My husband and I went to the shelter the same day I saw the post,” Flanders told Newsweek. “It happened to be Valentine’s Day. We agreed to foster Fiona first, to make sure both Fifi and my other cat, Whist, would accept her.”
At first, the reunion didn’t go smoothly. Fifi hissed and avoided Fiona during the first week. But by the second week, everything changed. “Something clicked, and they became best friends,” Flanders said. The family then made the decision to officially adopt Fiona.
Now, two months later, the pair are inseparable. A video posted on April 15 by Flanders under the TikTok handle @talesofwhist shows the cats cuddling together, and the clip has since received over 146,000 views.
“They’re always together now,” Flanders said. “If we see one, we know the other isn’t far away. They nap in a pile on the couch during the day and sleep cuddled up at night.”
Each year, about 3.2 million cats are adopted from shelters across the U.S., according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Still, not every match is perfect. Fiona had reportedly become overstimulated in her previous home. “Not all cats are a good fit for every adoptive home, and that’s understandable,” Flanders said. “Ultimately, I believe she ended up where she belonged—in the end, with us.”
Pet expert Axel Lagercrantz, CEO of Pets4Homes, explained the strong connection between a mother cat and her kitten. “The mother’s instinct is crucial for her kittens’ survival,” he said. “She keeps them warm, protects them, and cleans them. That bond is deep, especially in the early months.”
Social media users were quick to react to the touching reunion. “She’s holding her baby like she never wants to let go again,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “What a wonderful human you are to give them a second chance to be family.”
With over 31,800 likes and nearly 600 comments, the story of Fiona and Fifi shows that sometimes fate—and a little love—can bring families back together.
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