A soft purr, a gentle nudge, or a familiar pair of eyes waiting by the door. Sometimes, it is the smallest gestures that leave the biggest impressions. For many cat owners, their feline companions are more than just animals sharing a home. They are silent companions through life’s ups and downs, bringing comfort, laughter and a sense of belonging in ways only they can.
Behind every whisker and pawprint lies a story of unexpected encounters, second chances and bonds that grow stronger with time. As International Cat Day is celebrated today, Sarawak Tribune speaks to cat owners about the cats who have found their way into their hearts and the stories that make each one truly special.
Mary Rachael, pawrent to Moomoo
Her name is Moomoo because she looked like a baby cow when she was only two weeks old. She is a mix between a Bengalese mother and a local cat father. She takes after her dad’s fur, but you can still see her mother’s polka-dot stripes. Now eight months old, she is very naughty, clingy, vocal and a little lazy. Moomoo came into my life when my father-in-law brought home her mother, who later gave birth to four kittens. We decided to adopt two of them: Moomoo and her sibling Rainbow. Before this, my heart was not ready to have another cat after losing my previous cat six years ago. But when these two little ones came along, I immediately fell in love and decided to adopt them. When Moomoo was around two months old, her sibling accidentally scratched her eye. At first, we thought it was just a small injury, but later found out that her cornea was damaged and she had lost sight in that eye. She underwent surgery, and we cared for her during her recovery. Today, Moomoo is still her playful and talkative self. She loves answering when we talk to her, waits for us at the door after school and work, and sleeps with the babies. She is not just a pet — she is family.
Jessica Lee, pawrent to Mario
My pet cat’s name is Mario. Sometimes, we call him by his nicknames Lembu, Ah Pui and Papa Bubu. He is a six-year-old local short-haired ‘cow cat’ who is friendly, intelligent and extremely cuddly. Mario came into my life after I lost my previous cat, Diu Diu, who passed away after being bitten by a stray dog. I grieved for half a year and blamed myself for what happened. Then one day, I came across a post from a feeder about a ‘gangster-looking’ cat from Muara Tuang Secondary School. Somehow, I felt that he was meant to be mine. Although the feeder offered to send him over, I insisted on going there myself. I wanted to see if we would connect before deciding to adopt him. When they placed him in my arms and said, ‘Your new mommy’, the bond came naturally. I looked at him and said, ‘Let’s go home’. He never resisted my hugs and settled into my life so easily. Since then, Mario has brought me so much comfort. I occasionally foster kittens, and he helps look after them. Once, when I was preparing to send two black kittens to a potential adopter, Mario held onto the carrier with his paws and looked at me as if he was asking me not to take them away. When I let the kittens out, they immediately went to him, and he licked their little heads like a father. That moment showed me that even a male cat can have such a loving and caring heart.
Guinevere Aring, pawrent to Sundrop
My four-year-old cat’s name is Sundrop, and she has a very funny habit — if there is food around, she will keep eating. She is definitely a food lover! Back then, I had a cat named Kemek, and I was thinking of adopting another one to keep him company. That was when I came across a Facebook post by a veterinarian in Matang about a cat looking for a home. In the photo, Sundrop looked so cute and a little silly that I immediately messaged to ask if she was still available for adoption. Thankfully, she was, and I brought her home the next day. What made me laugh was how she was curled up with her belly facing upwards in the photo. She still does it today, and I call her my ‘terbalik cat’. Since she does not bite, I can rub her belly as much as I want. My cats are important to me because, as someone living away from my family, their presence gives me comfort and companionship. Caring for them is not always easy and can be costly, but just like caring for any living being, it is a responsibility worth taking. Having a pet is a commitment. They need more than just food — they need love, attention and interaction. If someone only wants a pet to keep in a cage without building a bond, then they should reconsider owning one.
Jason Ma, pawrent to Orchid
Orchid is a two-year-old Siamese mix local cat. She has a very independent personality — she only asks for attention when she wants it, but most of the time, she enjoys being by my side. I never expected to have a cat. In fact, I used to be afraid of them after a bad experience with a friend’s cat that left me with scratches all over my arm. My opinion changed when my wife and I found Orchid at a nursery while accompanying my mother to buy orchids. My wife suddenly appeared carrying a kitten, and my first reaction was ‘no’. But after finding out she had no owner, we eventually brought her home and named her Orchid after where we found her. Over time, we formed a bond naturally. At home, she follows me while I watch television or play games, and she often sits on my lap. My favourite moment is seeing her wait by the door whenever I return home. Somehow, she became like a little daughter to me. One funny moment was when an electrician came to our house, and I realised Orchid had disappeared. I panicked and started questioning everyone, thinking someone had accidentally let her out. Eventually, I found her hiding safely in the store. Orchid is a little box of joy that I never expected. On days when I don’t feel like myself, she somehow knows when to stay close and provide comfort. Sometimes, our children may come into our lives in unexpected forms — even as a cat.
