Two rescue cats from Johannesburg, South Africa. One home. And the kind of love that changes everything.

CatSwoppr Team
Jan 20
5 min read

Some humans think cats just appear in their lives. Like magic, or coincidence.

We know better. Our names are Honey and Luna, and this is our story, told from where it truly lives: from inside a cat’s heart 🐾

🌙 Luna — I was still a kitten when I had to survive

I was about six months old when the street taught me fear. My sister and I tried to stay close, but bigger cats chased us constantly. One day, she disappeared. I never saw her again….I was alone.

Someone tried to find my family, but nobody came. Another woman gave me food, water, and a safe place to rest. That same night, my body did something I wasn’t ready for: I gave birth.

I was still a baby myself: weak, sick, and scared. Some of my kittens didn’t make it.

After a rushed visit to the vet, I came back to that house. I remember climbing onto the bed with what little strength I had left… and sleeping.

For the first time, I felt it 😌I didn’t need proof. I didn’t need time. I just knew I was safe.

On January 6th, four years ago, I officially moved in with my mom. One day, someone knocked on her door and said “Your kitty is downstairs.”

She came down, and our eyes met for the first time. Her first words were: “Who is this? I don’t know this kitty.”

I almost laughed! Silly mom…. I was her gift from the cat distribution system ✨

She had never had a cat before. Oh boy… did she have a lot to learn.

Now, I run through the house, climb curtains (yes, still), nap wherever the sun hits best, and make the rules. I am the boss.

Have you seen how chubby I am now? 😼I refuse to eat the peasant food other kitties eat.

Oh no… only the best for me. Every day, I choose between three types of wet food and my favourite treats. I have more beds than most humans, lots of blankies, and more love than any baby could ever ask for.

I’m also someone’s baby now 😻

To me, home means love and knowing I will never be alone again.

🍯 Honey — I didn’t trust humans, and I had my reasons

I was born in a construction site. Dust, noise, cold nights and hunger were normal to me.

People saw me every day though. They thought I didn’t need food or water. Sometimes a nice security guard shared his food with me. But most days, I survived by hunting and hiding.

One night, covered in dust and dirt, a woman noticed me. The next day, she came back, not to chase me away, but with a bed, food, and water.

I slept in warmth for the first time in my life. Then everything changed.

She put me in a plastic box I didn’t understand. Then into another thing that started moving. She called it a “car”. I was terrified. What was happening? Where were they taking me?

I went to the doctor. He said I had babies in my belly, but he made a mistake and hurt me. Later, I was taken to a much better doctor. From there, my mom picked me up and took me home.

Once there, I hated it all. I hated mom. And most of all, I hated this other kitty in the house.

I hissed at everything: at mom, at Luna, at Luna using the litter box, at the toys, at the curtains… I didn’t like this domestic life, you know?. I was a feral cat. I just wanted to go back to my construction building.

Everything felt strange. But guess what? The food got yummier 😋

Now, when I see mom standing next to my food bowl, I run to her and gobble up all my yummies. As for Luna… I still hiss at her. She can find friends somewhere else. My only friend is mom.

She found me — and more babies too — and helped them find homes. She worked very hard to earn my love and trust over the years.

It took me time. Years, actually. But then toys appeared, warm baths washed the dirt away, food and fresh water came every day…

So, look at me now! I am the gorgeous queen I was born to be 👑I have standards. And… yeah, don’t tell anyone, but I actually like Luna. Sometimes I give her secret kisses.

Home, to me, means safety now. I have tunnels, hiding places, and my blankie under mom’s bed. Perfect for when Luna has her annoying zoomies.

I love being at home now. I still hate car rides to the vet, but I love my life.

🐾 Our message to humans

We want to tell you something important.

People think cats are independent creatures. That we’re fine on our own. That we don’t need much.

That’s not true. Yes, we have boundaries. Yes, we like our space. But we have been domesticated and socialised to live as part of a family.

We bond deeply. We notice when you’re gone. We feel it when you don’t come back for days.

Leaving us alone at home for long periods isn’t harmless.

And about cats who live outside (cats like we once were) please remember this: We need food and water. We cannot survive on rodents alone. That belief causes real damage.

Lack of food and hydration can lead to lifelong illness. Sometimes, it can cost a cat their life. All we ask for is food, clean water, and shelter from the hardest days: the cold, the heat, the rain.