Rescue Cat Enjoys First Night Sleep in Cozy Blanket: ‘The Best’

A picture of a rescue cat sleeping on a fuzzy blanket for the first time after being adopted has melted hearts on social media.

In a Reddit post shared in June under the username u/gentlesoul00, a black-and-white cat can be seen napping on a fuzzy pet blanket right near its new owner, finally sleeping sweet dreams for the first time in its life.

“First nights sleep of rescues are the best,” the poster writes in the caption.

Of the 2.9 million homeless cats who entered American shelter in 2024, only 2.2 million were adopted, says the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

About 362,000 cats were returned to their owner or the field in the same year; 369,000 ended up being transferred to other organizations; and about 273,000 were euthanized for lack of space in the facilities.

Taking care of a cat means offering them the best environment to thrive, so experts suggest preparing your home for them before their arrival, to ensure a smooth transition, and make it easier for them to adapt.

Before bringing a cat home, you should find a trusted veterinarian who can get them checked, vaccinated and spayed or neutered. You should also ensure your home is cat-proofed, says Cats Protection.

Remove anything that might harm them, such as cleaning products, and make them a secluded space that nobody else has access to, like a spare bedroom or a corner of the living room, where they can go isolate as needed.

Buy all the essential items before their arrival, including age-appropriate food; a warm, cozy bed; a litter-tray; a cat tree where they can climb and feel like their ancestors in the wild; and lots of toys to simulate catching prey.

Food puzzles and cardboard boxes are also great forms of entertainment for most domestic felines.

If you have another cat home, it is important that you introduce them gradually and mindfully, as this is what will set the basis for a good relationship between the two.

You should first introduce them by smell via scent swapping, wrapping the new cat into a blanket and giving it to your established feline to smell, before starting supervised introductions.

Only allow them to play together unsupervised when you are completely sure that they get along well.

Newsweek reached out to @gentlesoul00 for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.

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