The Best Cat Stories of 2025

Every year I collect cat stories to uplift your spirit and make you smile. Stories plucked out of the news and noise—all because they make the world a little bit better for cats and folks who love them.

Diving into these stories has become a highlight of my year. So, without further ado, let’s get to them, shall we?

Black cat adoptions surged due to one hit movie—and another black cat film is on the way

Black cats have always had sleek beauty, big hearts, and an unfair PR problem. Their adoption rates haven’t been great, which floored me because I’m madly in love with them.

This year, though, something shifted in the best possible way. After the success of the film Flow, shelters began reporting an unexpected surge in black cat adoptions. People were drawn to the film’s feline protagonist. He was familiar to anyone who has bonded with a black cat: intelligent, expressive, amusing, and far more affectionate than stereotypes suggest.

Suddenly, black cats were seen.

All that well-deserved positive new PR is on track to grow, too. Pixar has announced Gatto, an upcoming animated film about a mischievous black cat in a small Italian town. With its enchanting, old-world style and character-driven storytelling, Gatto looks likely to help even more people fall more in love with midnight cats.

Read the FULL STORY or more about Gatto here.

A new cat museum is coming to Montreal—and it’s exactly what we’d hope

Montreal gets it. Canada’s upcoming feline art museum, Le Miaousée, is created to celebrate the bond between cats and humans while supporting rescue organizations along the way.

The goal is simple and radical: to create a joyful, inclusive place that deepens our understanding, connection, and compassion for cats.

It started with a soft-launch pop-up exhibit in September, and the response was immediate. More than 2,500 visitors attended. Weekends sold out, and the exhibit was extended by two weeks. Guests explored feline history and art, shopped weekend markets hosted by cat rescues, and joined artist-led activities.

I’m really excited for the permanent Le Miaousée museum that launches in 2026. It will be thoughtfully designed as a “welcoming, lived-in space.” Get ready for:

• Immersive exhibits exploring feline history, art, culture, and care
• A cozy lounge with adoptable rescue cats
• Space for cat-related talks, workshops, and gatherings
• A boutique with locally made feline art and gifts

Read the FULL STORY.

An adorable Lowe’s store cat reminds everyone what belonging looks like

Some cats change one person’s life. Others run an entire hardware store.

And in this story, a whole community came together for one cat named Francine.

Francine had been a beloved presence at a Richmond, Virginia Lowe’s for nearly a decade—customers would stop in just to visit this sweet, friendly kitty. So when she went missing one day in September, people flipped out. Employees searched. Shoppers worried. The community rallied and launched a “Where’s Francine?” campaign that immediately drew tens of thousands of followers.

After a few days, a big clue was discovered on security footage: Francine had leapt into the back of a delivery truck destined for a gigantic distribution center 85 miles away. Francine’s friends sprang into action. They searched the endless distribution center for days, reviewing hundreds of cameras, setting humane traps, and even using thermal drones.

Finally, they found Francine! Her first reunion was with her friend Wayne. “She got in my arms and it just felt like pure joy,” he said.

Francine returned home to a hero’s welcome. She now wears a stylish tracking harness, and all is right again at a neighborhood Lowe’s in Virginia. Read the FULL STORY.

Research says your cat is tuned in to you, even if they don’t always act like it

Anyone who has seriously bonded with a cat already suspects this: your cat makes it their business to know where you are.

A recent study reported by Smithsonian Magazine indicates that cats are mentally mapping their human’s location in the house. In the experiment, researchers played recordings of their person speaking from different rooms. The research found that cats consistently appeared surprised when their person’s voice seemed to “jump” unexpectedly from one location to another, indicating they had a prediction of where their human should be.

This ability, known as socio-spatial cognition, allows an animal to locate someone mentally without seeing them. Scientists already knew cats recognize familiar voices (duh), and this study suggests cats also use voices to map where their people are in space.

Once again, scientists discovered what we already knew. Our little feline friends are clever, and they care where we’re at. Read the FULL STORY.

BONUS: Star athlete would do anything for his cat

I saw this video clip and just had to share. I love seeing big athletes go public with their undying love for their cat.

RJ Godfrey lights up about his cat, Derrick: “He’s opened up my perspective on love.” 🥹