Adopted Littermates Reunite After 2 Years When Their Owners Fall In Love

Written by: Dina Fantegrossi
Dina Fantegrossi is the Assistant Editor and Head Writer for HomeLife Media. Before her career in writing, Dina was a veterinary technician for more than 15 years.Read more
| Published on February 17, 2017

Two bonded kittens are together again thanks to a lovely twist of fate! On Valentine’s Day last year, Petaluma Animal Services received word that Ozzy and Butter – part of a litter of 6 they rescued back in 2014 – had been reunited when their owners met online and fell in love.

After 2 years apart these ginger cuties are picking up right where they left off, romping and snuggling once again!

Cathleen Cavin met Brian Herrera through an online dating app in April 2015. The more they chatted, the more they learned that their paths had almost crossed several times. Both Cavin and Herrera had lived in Fairfax, San Rafael and Petaluma, CA at similar times. They had attended the same rock concerts – and, little did they know, they had adopted identical kittens from the same shelter in July 2014.

Despite their connections, Cavin wasn’t all that interested in Herrera. In fact, when it came time to meet for dinner on June 22, 2016, she didn’t want to go! It’s a good thing Cavin kept the date, because the pair hit it off. Afterwards, over drinks at Herrera’s house, she caught sight of a ginger and white kitty.

“I start looking at the cat, and I’m like, ‘That’s my cat. You have my cat,’” she told The Press Democrat. “And he’s like, ‘No, that’s my cat.’ So he thought I was some crazy cat lady, and I said, ‘No, I promise you. Come over to my house.’”

The very next day, Herrera met Ozzie and could not believe the similarities to his own kitty, Butter. The new couple compared adoption paperwork, and sure enough, their cats turned out to be littermates and long-lost brothers! The coincidence became even more serendipitous when Cavin told Herrera that she had wanted to adopt both kittens.

The litter of 6 had been paired off into different foster homes, the 2 boys remained together, becoming quite bonded. Cavin’s daughter, Cali begged her mother to adopt both kittens, but she knew their landlord would not go for it. Cali chose Ozzie and the trio left the shelter feeling heartbroken.

“So we’re crying as we’re leaving,” Cavin said, “just devastated that we couldn’t take both. They look absolutely identical.”

In the coming weeks, Ozzie would whimper from time to time. Cali was sure it was grief over losing his brother, so Cavin promised to try to locate the other kitten. She called the shelter, but learned that Butter had been adopted just 4 days after they took Ozzie home.

On February 14, eight months after their humans began dating – and on Valentine’s Day of all days – Ozzie and Butter saw each other again for the first time in 2 1/2 years. According to Cavin they recognized one another right away.

“It was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, honestly.”

And it won’t be long until Ozzie and Butter are under the same roof permanently. The happy couple plan to move in together soon.

H/T to The Press Democrat

Featured Images via Petaluma Animal Services