For more than a decade, an orange tabby named Marmalade brought laughter, comfort, and countless smiles to cat lovers around the world. Alongside his beloved best friend Cole, he became one of the internet’s most recognizable rescue cats, proving that sometimes the smallest paws leave the biggest impressions.
Now, the family behind the beloved Cole & Marmalade social media pages has shared heartbreaking news. Marmalade passed away on October 10, 2026, at 13 years old, exactly five years to the day after Cole’s passing.
His family shared that Marmalade was at home, surrounded by love and being cuddled by Chris and Jess during his final moments. In a message that captured both their heartbreak and the extraordinary bond between their two cats, they imagined Cole coming to guide his old friend across the rainbow bridge.
“At 7:12pm Cole came and guided Marm over the rainbow bridge with him,” the family wrote. “Thankfully, he was at home being cuddled with us both as he transitioned.”
A Little Orange Kitten Who Changed Everything
Marmalade’s story began on July 1, 2013, long before he became an internet celebrity. His early circumstances were uncertain, and when his original family could no longer keep him, Chris Poole and Jessica Josephs welcomed the little ginger kitten into their home.
Waiting for him was Cole, a handsome black rescue cat who had joined the family the previous year. Their first introduction involved the usual feline negotiations, including some cautious sniffing and swatting, but Marmalade wasn’t about to let a little uncertainty stop him from making a friend.
Before long, the two were inseparable. Their contrasting coats, playful personalities, and unmistakable affection for each other made them a perfect pair, and their everyday adventures soon began capturing hearts far beyond their own home.
Chris and Jess started sharing videos of their cats, giving viewers a glimpse into the funny, affectionate, and occasionally mischievous world of Cole and Marmalade. What began as two rescued kittens enjoying life together eventually grew into a beloved online community.
Marmalade Was a Fighter From the Beginning
Marmalade’s life wasn’t without challenges, but the little orange cat showed remarkable resilience. In 2014, he was diagnosed with cancer, and his family also learned that he was positive for feline immunodeficiency virus, commonly known as FIV.
He underwent surgery to remove a tumor, followed by 12 chemotherapy treatments. Marmalade came through treatment successfully and went on to enjoy many more years with his family, his feline companions, and the people who loved following his adventures.
His story also helped challenge misconceptions about FIV-positive cats. Marmalade’s long life alongside his feline family showed viewers that an FIV diagnosis doesn’t automatically prevent a cat from enjoying years of companionship, play, and affection.
For Chris and Jess, however, Marmalade was always much more than an example of resilience. He was their funny, expressive ginger boy, a beloved family member whose personality filled their home and whose antics entertained people around the world.
Cole and Marmalade Were More Than Internet Stars
The friendship between Cole and Marmalade became the heart of their family’s videos. Whether they were playing, cuddling, exploring elaborate homemade cat creations, or simply behaving like cats, their relationship was something viewers loved returning to again and again.
Their popularity also helped Chris and Jess share an important message about animal rescue. Through their videos and advocacy, the family encouraged adoption, spaying and neutering, and compassion for stray and overlooked cats.
Cole and Marmalade’s influence extended beyond entertaining viewers. Marmalade’s “Dumpster Kitty” video won the grand prize at the 2014 Friskies Awards, and he was later featured on the cover of Modern Cat magazine after winning its Star Cat contest.
Yet the moments that made the pair special were often much simpler. Two cats who had once needed homes were now safe, loved, and showing people everywhere how extraordinary rescue animals could be.
When Cole passed away on October 10, 2021, after his own battle with cancer, the loss was felt throughout their enormous community. Marmalade continued to be surrounded by love, but the bond that had helped make the two cats famous remained an unforgettable part of their story.
His Family Knew Something Was Wrong
In the days leading up to Marmalade’s passing, Chris and Jess began sharing concerning updates about their beloved ginger cat. At 13 years old, Marmalade had become increasingly selective about eating, and his family had been making extra efforts to ensure he received enough food.
Jess was even helping with late-night feedings as they adjusted to his changing appetite. When Marmalade began drinking more water and vomiting, his family knew it was time for another veterinary visit.
The timing made their worries especially difficult. October 10, the fifth anniversary of Cole’s passing, was approaching, and the family was hoping for reassuring news about Marmalade’s health.
Unfortunately, the veterinary update wasn’t what anyone had hoped to hear. His family shared that his kidneys were in poor condition and that they would try fluid therapy to see how he responded.
Throughout those uncertain days, they thanked their followers for the encouragement and kindness that had carried them through difficult moments before. The community affectionately known as the CAM FAM had been part of Marmalade’s journey for years, and once again, people were hoping their favorite ginger cat would pull through.
Five Years Later, Cole and Marmalade Share the Same Date
On October 10, 2026, Marmalade’s family announced that he had passed away. He was 13 years old, and the date was exactly five years after the loss of his beloved companion Cole.
The coincidence carried enormous emotional weight for a family and community that had watched the two cats grow up together. Chris and Jess expressed their grief through the comforting image of Cole welcoming Marmalade across the rainbow bridge, bringing the inseparable friends together again in spirit.
“We are in shock still and will update more later,” the family shared. Their message ended with a simple request that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved an animal: “Hug your furkids extra from us today.”
For people who followed Cole and Marmalade from their earliest videos, the news marks the end of a remarkable chapter. The little black cat and his ginger best friend helped turn ordinary moments of feline life into memories shared by people around the world.
The Love Marmalade Leaves Behind
Marmalade’s legacy is bigger than his videos, awards, or the millions of smiles he inspired. He was a rescue kitten who found a loving family, a cancer survivor who enjoyed many more years than his early diagnosis might have led people to expect, and a devoted feline companion whose friendship with Cole became something truly special.
Through his family’s dedication to rescue and education, Marmalade also helped show that cats with medical challenges deserve the same opportunities for love and happiness as any other animal. His life was a reminder that every rescue cat has a story worth telling and a personality worth getting to know.
For Chris, Jess, and the entire CAM FAM, there will never be another Marmalade. His expressive ginger face, playful spirit, and unforgettable friendship with Cole will remain part of the countless memories he leaves behind.
Cole and Marmalade first found each other as two little rescue kittens who needed love and a place to belong. More than a decade later, their story continues to remind people why opening a home and heart to an animal can change so many lives.
Rest peacefully, sweet Marmalade. You and Cole gave the world so much love, and that love will remain long after your final goodbye.