She has always loved animals, so Lynn Farrell’s daughter was thrilled when the family relocated to a new home close to a sizable cat colony.

Since the cats are wild, Farrell never feared that one of them might voluntarily enter the house. However, Farrell’s daughter would pet and feed any animal she comes across.

She was mistaken.

Credit: LYNN FARRELL
One recent night, Farrell put her daughter to bed early, expecting the usual protests. But, instead, her daughter replied, “OK, Mom.”

“When she agreed to go to bed so easily, I was immediately suspicious as any mom would be,” Farrell told The Dodo. “When I opened the door, they both popped their heads up, like, ‘Oh crap, we’ve been caught.’”

Credit: LYNN FARRELL
Under the blankets, Farrell saw her kid cuddled up with a big orange cat. While her mother was preparing supper, the little girl brought the cat inside and relocated the litterbox and some food and drink from the bathroom into her closet.

Additionally, this was not the first time they had a sleepover.

Farrell remarked, “I could see immediately away they had a particular connection. He made a wise choice in his new human. Following a wash and brush, they both fell asleep warm, content, and cuddled.

Credit: LYNN FARRELL
Farrell brought the cat, whom they named Pumpkin Jr., to the vet, where he was dewormed and treated for fleas. And after some asking around the neighborhood, they discovered that Pumpkin Jr. was an outdoor cat belonging to their neighbor across the street.

With permission from Pumpkin Jr.’s owners, the cat now visits his little girl every day, and their sleepovers have continued.

Credit: LYNN FARRELL
He is so adorable and purring nonstop, I don’t believe I’ve ever heard him stop, Farrell remarked. He has informed the other three cats that they must not enter his human’s chamber since it is his territory.

I suppose I now have a fourth cat,” she said.