Posted by u/Bryjeter2 14 hours ago
Was hesitant when the shelter said we had to get two, think I understand why now
28.4k
We had the same issue. We went to the shelter to pick out a cat, we saw a calico on the website. I was told she was a barn cat and probably wouldn't be good if she couldn't go out (we live in the city so that's a no no). We go in and see a bonded brother and sister. A shorthaired tuxedo male, and whatever the opposite of a tuxedo would be (white with black) that was a long haired female. The kittens pawed at the glass when they saw us. We got them out, they hid from everyone but us. We decided that meant they picked us, and we've been so very happy with the both of them ever since. You will be very very very happy with a bonded pair. Enjoy! CAT TAX! [https://imgur.com/a/Yq1tClp](https://imgur.com/a/Yq1tClp)
Your story reminded me of my "the one that got away." I was living in a place that had a strict no-pets rule, but I used to get my fix by sometimes visiting a pet store close to my work that, rather than selling animals, had a portion of the store set up as an SPCA adoption centre.
One day, as I was walking past the kennels, a big ol' tom I'd never seen before raised his head, stood up, and started walking toward me. When he got to the door, he stopped and let out this slow, confident, "Mrrowww," looking at me the entire time. The only reason I didn't adopt him that instant is that I would have been evicted. (I was living in a basement suite and the landlord lived upstairs - it would've been impossible to hide a cat for long.) That was maybe fifteen years ago, and a part of me still wishes I hadn't walked away.
Yup! It makes them happier, gives you crazy adorable picturesque moments like this. I adopted two brothers from the same litter. They entertain each other when I'm not around, groom each other, cuddle almost like that to be warm and happy. Their personalities are completely different, but both are loving and totally worth it.
We also have a pair of brothers. They're so ridiculously sweet, when not reenacting the Lion King from the top of one of the cat trees.
I went to a rescued kitten shelter where you also had to adopt two. Mine weren't even a bonded pair & in separate areas divided by gender. Even though they were very different from each other they slept together, played and ate together. The easiest kittens I ever raised. Now they are 7 yr old characters. The female has taken over any space she can get to and I find that most of my upper bookshelves have been replaced as cat-shelves. The male follows my 50lb dog around and demands to be fed, played & treated as a dog. My dog is patient and is paid with ear cleaning and has gotten used to sharing sleeping spots with him. They are the happiest, healthiest and goofiest cats and being raised together I feel gave them the security they needed to be the well rounded adventurer felines I love and adore. They are also super entertaining. A cat that thinks it's a dog and another that thinks she's an explorer in the wild indoors. I highly recommend getting kittens in twos. Highly.
Omg. So cute and you are great for keeping them together
People assume two is more work than one. Definitely not the case with cats. They entertain each other, like 3am play time when it might not be ideal for you. I firmly believe they learn how to play, and that claws and teeth hurt. A human can't explain to a cat that they have daggers attached to their toes, but playing with another cat certainly can. I'm happy for them and you that you rescued two. Lifelong friends.
>3am play time
Ah yes. Also known as the time where our girl cat repeatedly throws her brother down the stairs (he's fine - he's gigantic so he doesn't go far). I don't know why they insist on playing at the top of the stairs.
I have a bonded pair as well, two sisters. They are so happy together and I love them to pieces! Popcorn and Peanut.
My cats growing up were brothers named Peanut and Jack! They lived to be 15 and 16. Such good babies.
We have a bonded pair too. They are the happiest cats. So sweet!
ahhh they're so cute! my cats are siblings and used to sleep cuddled together like that too :") then the boy grew to be twice the size of his sister and they don't fit on the same chair very well anymore lmao
Getting 2 kittens is the best decision my family ever made.
I foster kittens and have a strict rule of no single adoptions. Some people get upset but I’ve never had anyone regret adopting a pair.
We have brother cats, too. They’re the best. Enjoy the snuggles.
r/bondedpairs
Yeah I know two kittens is a lot for some people but it’s so much better for them. And thankfully a lot of areas (like where I live) have their cat populations under control to the point that they can say, “If you want a single cat we have lots of lovely adults; if you want kittens they come in bonded pairs”. End of story. We got a bonded pair in November and even that was competitive. It felt like a job interview. It’s stressful for applicants, and the kittens we got were by no means the only ones we’d applied for, but the benefit to the animals is huge. And not just for the kittens but for the adult cats that now get homes. And because shelters are in a better position to turn down applicants they aren’t confident can be responsible.
just make sure to give them a second litter box as they get older and a second area with water and maybe even food to graze on, so they can have their own space and freedom and areas bonded cats when they get older can fight just like people do if they don't have enough space, not all of them, but having two litter boxes when they're close to adults and a second water and dry food dish will do wonders most of the time to stop that from happening
Cutest cuddle puddle 😻
Adorable! Kittens need companion animals, especially if they are bonded to another kitten as these two obviously are! Have fun with them
Ya my husband and I went to the shelter for one cat. And while we were looking at one, another one pawed my shoulder. There were two. And so I said I had to see the one who pawed me. Needless to say. I love them to bits and now want one more.
Bonded pairs are awesome! We got our first pair this summer, never knew what I was missing
More fun. Also warmth.
Orange one looks exactly like my 9 month old
I want what they have
Adopted sib pair for the first time in mine ory husbands lives last September. No regrets. Will never do it any other way again. Kittens get adopted in pairs, always.
We got a pair of brothers from the same litter and it’s outstanding. Sometimes they want to do their own thing (in which case they don’t bother each other), sometimes they want to race around and play, and then sometimes.... [well, you can imagine](https://imgur.com/a/bN4F9LW)
What the hell, they are copies of [my cats](https://imgur.com/a/hGyEI9E)!
Getting a kitten for our 5 year old cat was the best possible thing we could have done for him.
I have been wanting to get a kitten for my 6 year old girl that I inherited from my mom. Her new husband is allergic so I kept her but now that we live alone and not at home with the family, I get sad that she spends all day by herself. I would feel better if she had a friend but idk how she would like it since she has been an only cat her whole life.
It's always on my mind though so I just might.
Did you... did you [clone my cats?](https://imgur.com/lJxDmMC)
Omg these to remind me of my cats! They were both ginger and black like these 2 accept sadly the ginger one got hit. R.I.P Gizmo. That's for some memories from this post tho
Cats are more fun when you have more than one!
We went to get one. And a sibling came available. So glad we got two, they drive each other bananas instead of us or the other kitties. Thank God. Nobody else has the energy they do.
Best choice I ever made was adopting my first pair. Two tabby brothers, one sweet and cuddly and the other a chompy little grump who refused to leave his brother despite other neighborhood cats trying to chase him off from the food I was using to catch those two. The grump now absolutely adores my mom and regularly cuddles with his brother. My second pair, two sisters who were the last survivors of their litter, really sick. Scared the crap out of me. All 4 are happy and healthy now. Recently had a new kitten left in my care (tiny baby found alone and crying in a field), the first singular kitten in a LONG time and as he grows up the difference are painfully (sometimes literally) obvious. The others play with him but only another kitten can really match a kitten, y'know? I swear I think they know I'm talking about them cause they're starting to show up.
Never hesitate when 2 cats are involved
We adopted 2 kittens from the Animal Welfare League, not from the same litter, one slightly older. Well, those two boys love each other so much and are super smoochy together. Grooming, playing, snoozing... you name it.
That orange cat is a doppelgänger of my cat
Two are always better than one!
Just like my two little guys. One tuxedo and one tabby. Brothers who love the heck out of each other.
My cats looked just like that when we got them. Made me smile
That's a good shelter person
Kitty BOGO...
Awe, looks like my two kitties together. The older one didn't like having a little brother at first, but now they've learned to get along and snuggle lol. I love it ❤
Oh my that lil orange one looks mischievous!!!!
so cute 😭😭💖
Would you mind if I save this picture? No? Thanks
I worked at a shelter for eight years. I don't know if mine ever enforced the two kitten rule, but it was *strongly* suggested that if a kitten was not by itself, then they should go in pairs. This is why. It was always tough when we had a litter of an odd number. It's hard enough to convince someone to get two new pets at once, let alone three. So one often ends up alone anyhow. I have a single cat myself. I didn't get her from a shelter, but actually found her mewling under a truck in my campus parking lot on the way back from class one day, when she was only about two months old. She's about a year and a half now. I've intended to find her a brother for quite some time, but the Pandemic and an internship I had last summer kinda spoiled those plans for awhile. Will hopefully be finding her that brother soon.
I really regret not having taken 2 cats when I had the chance. 2 isn't that much more money, time, energy, plus the cats will play with each other. when or if I adopt another cat, I will take 2 .
My two cats barely tolerate one another, goddamn.
It's a cute kitteh sandwich!!!
BESTO FRIENDOS!!!
I could look at this all day, so sweet
We adopted a pair of "bonded buddy" cats who had been together for years with the previous owner. One was super, super friendly and nice, and we fell in love with him immediately. The other one was skittish, angry and mean. He couldn't be handled at all without biting and scratching. He hid for weeks when we got him home and attacked anyone who tried to get close to him. It's been almost three years. The friendly cat was in the bed when I woke up. The "mean" cat was waiting for me in my office so he could jump in my lap and get his morning pets. It's impossible for me to go to the bathroom without the "mean" cat following me in and sitting with me, purring. We're very glad that we took them both. They're great cats.
Thank you for keeping them together and saving their lives
good job, you did the right thing
The grey one looks almost identical to my cat who got lost almost more than a year ago. I miss him so much.
Nice pair.
It took me a year to realize my Zippy needed a friend. Adopted a little sister for him in 2017. Lulu will be 4 this year, Zippy 5. I'm thankful they will have each other for most of their lives. Cats need more than us. Yours are beautiful!
PINK TOE BEANS OMGG 💗💗💗💗
Awww sweet babies!!!
Cats should always come in twos. They are so much happier with a second cat to keep each other entertained
Awww they are so precious!
What a delightful package deal.
always two there are no more no less. a master and an apprentice.
Aaaahww
Amazingly cute! Thanks for keeping them together, you are a good person!
How lovely
So cute
Sweet. ❤️❤️❤️
😻😻
that's what you can can real love
One needs to be the bed for the other
Two are always better! They play and keep each other company when you are away. Also get into less trouble
Somebody, please hold me like this
Always get two. I really wish vets had discounts for pairs to encourage this behavior.
🥰🥰🥰
We did the same thing, and I was a little wary as well. But it was the hands-down best adoption decision ever. In fact, we have one just like your orange guy, they could be related for how similar they are. Named him David and the other one Alexis. It's so freakin adorable I can't take it.
I also took two kittens when I’d only planned on one. Backstory... I have a 8 year old tripod called Mister. I also had a big black fluffball, an 11 year old called Harry. Harry was diagnosed with heart failure and 7 weeks after diagnosis he passed away. I was distraught. Mister, who I’d rescued at 10 months old and had only spent 3 months by himself until Harry turned up, was also distraught. Two months after Harrys passing, the rescue where I’d originally got Mister and Harry from posted a mum and kittens up for adoption. Mum cat was a pregnant stray, a tuxie, and had given birth in foster and now everyone was ready to go. Nine kittens, all tuxies apart from Nigel who was a tiny goofy black kid. Off I went, reserved Nigel, passed the home check and got the go ahead to pay and pick him up. When I got there Nigel was playing with his tuxie brother Steve. They both saw me, made a beeline and Steve refused to let go of me, another staff member turned up as they were putting Nigel in my carrier and trying to get Steve to let go. Steves adoption had fallen through and he was available too. So I took him as well. They were renamed to Merry (Steve) and Pippin (Nigel). Mister took one look at Pippin and immediately started washing him. They fell in love instantly. It took a little longer with Merry but they all get on extremely well now. It is clear that Merry was supposed to come with us, he insists on being a little spoon at night and sleeps with his head on my arm.
I’ve always encouraged ppl....the shelter or adopt a pair regardless of cat/dog. If you can trinity makes for an interesting household.
With dogs it’s actually not recommended, at least with puppies. Littermate syndrome is a very real thing and very difficult to balance. Fortunately it doesn’t happen with cats, and kittens are always better in pairs.
Generally you should either get two or more pets or none. They need company when you’re not around.
What are their names
Orange is Sprout and the other is Nugget, they’re brothers
this is so insanely cute. my cats are brother and sister and used to cuddle like this too, now they just hate each other..
Awww. This is the cutest 😻
Do you ever dare to leave me Meoow!
u/MSOTfunction
They have the exact same colouring as my 2 dead cats! Who were also the best of friends and would sleep with each other like that. Now I miss them a tonne. Who’s cutting onions in here?
We got two brothers that sadly started fighting nonstop when they hit 2. It got so bad we had to return one to foster care :(
You won't regret it. My brother adopted 2 bonded siblings. Years later their bond is as strong as when they were kittens. They have each other when he goes out. It is really nice to be around them :)
I adopted a pair of brothers and they adore each other. Always snuggling and sitting near each other. One is SUPER friendly with everyone and very adventurous. He's very elegant looking and affectionate, loves scratches but won't sit for too long on a lap. His brother is a big nervous lump who follows me around yelling loudly and would sit on my lap 24/7 if allowed. It's weird now different they are in personality! I can't imagine just having one of them though. They complement each other's eccentricities.
Never knew about the 2 kitten rule until recently (grew up with farm cats). Caught some feral kittens and kept one but saw videos saying 2 is better. My Queen kitty crossed the 🌈 bridge (at 18 yo) 2 months after catching the feral (he brought her a lot of amusement in thise 2 months). My brother trapped a stray kitty at his work the morning after she passed and I told him I would maybe think about keeping it but only if it was a female....its a female. The kittens are pretty much the same age and a male/female mix. But now I understand why you have 2 kittens and I would never have it any other way.
If you're getting kittens or younger cats you definitely e.g. 2 so they can play with each other instead of only having you to play with. That much energy is exhausting when it's all directed at you
Is the strategies now? my friend just adopted 2 cats, she was told she have to take 2 kittens, she can’t just adopt one? anyone else have this experience recently?
My sister adopted a car that was strongly bonded to another but the shelter separated them without her knowing. Her cat straight up stopped eating and started to waste away shortly after she got it, she had to take it to the vet. I hear the other cat it was bonded to died shortly after being adopted, though I was not told why. This shit is no joke, that cat almost killed itself out of grief. More shelters need to be willing to make this rule.
OMG! 🙀 Irresponsible shelter.
/u/Bryjeter2, sorry for the off-topic question, but what colour is that sofa? Also, the kitties are really cute :)
Haha no problem, it looks brown in the pic but it isn’t really in person. More grayish. Craigslist purchase so can’t help you with any info on it sadly
Two cats are better than one
They grow together and share double memories with you!
Just to let you know, someone claimed your fur babies as their own.
Of course they did, where at?
A while ago we sold 2 snowshoe girls to a lady, at first she was a little hesitant because she had a dog but with snowshoes we wanted them to go as a pair if they didn’t have another cat. I was so happy to hear that the lady went to me, “I am glad I adopted them as a pair” after a few days, because they really comforted each other and seemed to love their new home.
Best decision for you and them.
It's an animal LAW!!! Especially if they're siblings!!! Good Job!!!