Has a Cat Wandered Into Your Life? It Could Be the Cat Distribution System

If you’ve spent any time on TikTok recently, you may have encountered videos of stray cats approaching people and snuggling right up to their new human friends. More often than not, these videos are littered with comments such as, “The cat distribution system strikes again!” But this cat is just a stray, right? It’s not like there’s some greater program at work. Is there?

The cat distribution system has become a meme of its own, thanks to cat-loving social media users and the propensity of stray kittens to chase down strangers in search of affection. But what exactly is this theory about how cats end up with their human parents? And will you ever get to experience the magic of the cat distribution system yourself? 

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Main takeaways

• The cat distribution system is a meme started on TikTok around the way stray cats often gravitate toward random people. 

• There’s nothing magical about the cat distribution system — just an abundance of cats and kittens without homes.

• Be wary of taking in a cat that may already have a home and always make an effort to find the cat’s human parents. 

• Skip the cat distribution system and adopt a cat today. 

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What is the cat distribution system? 

So, what exactly is the cat distribution system? Unfortunately, it’s not an organized group where you can sign up to receive the perfect cat just for you. Instead, the phrase is how TikTok users — and now individuals across social media — describe the often random ways that cats enter our lives. Basically, the universal cat distribution system meaning can be boiled down to this: People don’t choose their cats, cats choose their people. 

When a stray cat or kitten walks up to a complete stranger meowing and demanding attention, and that person takes the stray home, that is the cat distribution system in action. You could be on a casual walk at your local park, loading groceries into your car, or strolling into the office with your mind on your to-do list, and a cat could simply appear and change your life forever — as pets so often do. 

Cat distribution system meme origins

The meme surrounding the mythical cat distribution system originated in November 2022 on TikTok. “You’ll just be like going to work, you’ll take a break, and you’ll go outside, and there’s a kitten in a bush,” the creator said in that original video. “Now, that’s your kitten.” 

Since that original video, the phrase has taken off across social media (as well as for “ dog distribution”) whether used to describe interactions with stray cats or commented on other users’ posts. A simple search of the phrases “cat distribution system” or "kitten distribution system” on TikTok will reveal thousands of videos of stray felines approaching strangers, looking for a little love — and people delighted to experience the cat distribution system in action. 

How the cat distribution system works

The cat distribution system relies on the idea that, when you’re ready, the universe will present a cat to you, and that cat is now your pet. In many cases, when people find a stray cat or kitten, they opt to take the cat in, foster the cat or permanently adopt them, leading (hopefully) to a happily ever after. It feels a little like fate, finding a cat that fits perfectly into your home and lifestyle. 

How do you get selected by the cat distribution system?

Unfortunately, you can’t apply to be gifted a cat by the universe. The cat distribution system is just a concept — and a random one at that. All the videos of people experiencing this phenomenon are in fact just people encountering stray or wandering cats in their daily lives, which is much more common than you may think. 

Is the cat distribution system real?

While the cat distribution system is just a fun theory with a catch phrase, it bears a little bit of truth. People who adopt pets often say, “I didn’t choose them; they chose me.” The cat distribution theory shows just how common this experience is and how often cats show up in people’s lives in unexpected places, seemingly out of the blue. 

Real-life cat distribution system examples

“The cat distribution system finally found me!” one Reddit user gushed about their newfound black kitten. “He’s super friendly and is a purring monster!”

Another TikTok user posted a video showing off two cats who showed up at his house, proclaiming, “The kitten distribution system found me.” And this TikTok user posted a video of a striped gray kitten climbing their leg: “We have welcomed Chompers to the family.”

The original TikTok video describes the cat distribution system as the universe entrusting a person to take care of a cat or kitten. It’s a heartwarming thought that cats may have an innate ability to find the right people to care for them. 

The sad truth behind the cat distribution system

While it’s certainly true that cats seem to simply show up in people’s lives sometimes, it’s also evidence of the abundance of stray cats and kittens in the U.S. — a number that has been estimated to be around 70 million. Think about how many times you’ve encountered a stray cat in your neighborhood or during your commute. The cat distribution system could affect any of us, unfortunately, because there are so many cats without loving homes. 

Many cats on the street may already have loving families and homes but could get “adopted” by someone a little too excited about being blessed by the cat distribution system. And outdoor female cats with litters may leave their kittens to find food. So, if you see a cat that appears healthy and well fed, they’re probably just fine and don’t need a new home. Instead, help cats who clearly need the care, especially if they’re injured or ill or kittens who are orphaned. And be aware of programs in your area that perform TNR (trap, neuter, return) to help reduce the stray cat population — which can do more for yo

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ur local strays than taking a single cat in.

Final note: Don’t wait for the cat distribution system to choose you

Fortunately, if you desperately want a cat in your life, you don’t have to wait for the universe to bless you via the cat distribution system. Visit your local shelter or explore online adoption listings on Adopt a Pet to find the right cat for you. Who knows: your version of the cat distribution system may be going to adopt one cat and falling in love with two. There are plenty of cats in rescues and shelters who need love and care, and you can be their hero today, whether the universal cat distribution system singles you out or not. 

FAQs

Is there a dog distribution system? 

It’s much less common, but there is a dog distribution system — at least according to TikTok. Stray dogs sometimes wander up to people, especially in more rural areas. In many cases, these dogs are lost or abandoned, and the person who finds a dog on their own may choose to take them to a local rescue, rather than adopt the animal themselves.

How can I adopt a cat through the cat distribution system? 

If you find a cat, make every effort to find their proper home before fostering or adopting the cat as your own. Kittens may even have a mom taking care of them and not need to be “rescued.” 

If you find a stray cat, can you keep them?

A stray cat may be feral or wild and perfectly capable of living on their own. They may also simply be wandering or lost and just need to return home. Focus on helping cats who are injured, sick, or otherwise clearly in need and let the healthy, thriving ones fend for themselves. 

What should you do when you find a stray cat?

If you stumble across a stray cat, make every effort to find the feline’s rightful home. Many outdoor cats wander but still have loving homes to return to, and you don’t want to take home someone else’s pet.  

References

• Gyles, Carlton. “Outdoor Cats - or Community Cats?” The Canadian Veterinary Journal = La Revue Veterinaire Canadienne, vol. 60, no. 4, 2019, pp. 349-352, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6417603/.