Michael Klein, a security guard, was doing his usual night patrol when a stray cat started following him everywhere. She wouldn’t leave his side. As Michael shared:
“She kept following me. I fell in love with that cat. Something about this cat just made me happy.”
He named her Tree Kitty because she loved climbing trees while they were at his job site. His partner, Alexandra, told The Dodo:
“She was always happy to see Michael. She would brush up on his legs and head-smash into his hand.”
After spending so much time with Tree Kitty at work, Michael decided to adopt her and give her a loving home. However, Michael and Alexandra were in for a huge surprise – Tree Kitty was pregnant. Alexandra shared:
“We thought she was just well-fed. We had no idea what was about to happen next.”
When they took her to the vet, they learned that Tree Kitty was healthy and expecting at least three kittens. But to their surprise, just a month after bringing her home, she gave birth to five kittens. Alexandra shared:
“Just when we thought Mama Cat couldn’t bring us anymore surprises.”
Even though they were expecting Tree Kitty to give birth to three kittens, she surprised them once again by bringing five little ones into the world! As Michael recalls:
“The first thought was like, ‘Oh my God, we’re gonna have to find homes for all these kittens!’”
Alexandra’s brother adopted one of the kittens, and the other three found loving homes as well. Michael and Alexandra still get updates on how all the kittens are doing.
“All of the kittens are happy and playful. And they love water. All of them are obsessed with water.”
Michael and Alexandra decided to keep the fifth one and named her Willow.
“Willow is a lot shyer than her mother. She loves to be dangling. Like, she likes to be held with her feet just hanging around. She’s also very curious and very smart. Her best friend is our Bengal kitten, who was born a week after her. They love wrestling and playing together.”
Willow also enjoys spending time with Norman, a genet who grew up around domestic cats. Alexandra runs Kinkatopia, a nonprofit sanctuary dedicated to rescuing kinkajous and other animals from the pet trade.
That’s why there are so many different cat species roaming around their home.
As for Tree Kitty, her life has completely transformed now that she lives with Michael and Alexandra:
“She owns the place! She watched over everything. And she is very loving toward Willow. She doesn’t climb trees anymore. Those days are over. Her favorite spot is Michael’s lap, and she is a big fan of group hugs. Or really any hug in general.”
Tree Kitty has become close with Norman. It was unexpected, but the two have formed a deep bond:
“They wrestle every morning and every night. They’re so funny! Norman sits on her head, and she ends up stuck on her back. Oh, and we should probably mention she’s gained a few pounds.”
However, Tree Kitty is still closest to Michael, her beloved rescuer.
“She loves to cuddle up on his lap, especially before he goes to work. She loves to wrap her front two legs around his arm – she’s a hugger.”
From the very first night, Tree Kitty decided she wouldn’t leave his side, and it’s clear that Michael feels the same way!