Even if you’ve never heard the phrase “cat distribution system,” I’m sure you know what it is! In fact, it has probably happened to you. Somehow, by some twist of fate, you ended up with a cat when you didn’t mean to get one.
Origin
The phrase “cat distribution system” is still new. It first appeared on TikTok in November, 2022 when user @hermes.the.cynic explained it. For years, my human just referred to it as “the cat happening.” And that’s how she ended up with most of the cats in her life — including a couple she didn’t keep but ended up sharing with others. In fact, his beloved cat, other than me, he found himself on the street in classic CDS fashion.
Cats happen
He was walking home from a music festival in San Pedro, and there was a kitten playing with some kids. Of course, it didn’t belong to any of them, and it slept on his lap all the way home to Los Feliz, where he used to live. He doesn’t like cats. In fact, he already has one at home (something that annoys the new interloper to no end). But it doesn’t matter. The cat distribution system spoke. Harlot (the only name the two-month-old calico responded to) was in my human’s life for the next 15 years.
The cat distribution system reflects that element of fate that always seems to match cats with people. Unlike dogs, where people tend to put in some preparation, cats just appear out of nowhere. Or they become obsessed with people because of the event — a move, a death, or too many life changes.
Not Everything is Happy and Easy
But the cat distribution system has a dark side: it paints cats as disposable. Because often the cat taken is somehow thrown away or abandoned. It also paints cats as low maintenance (and you know how I feel about that). It assumes that a person can bring a cat home without any kind of preparedness needs, or knowledge about how to care for this creature that “just happened.” There is also the fact that there are many, many more stray and abandoned cats and kittens than there are people who will adopt them.
So the cat distribution system, despite its aura of magic and kismet, has its flaws. Its one reality, however, contains an important lesson for anyone considering adding a cat (or another cat) to their life.
The Truth Behind the Cat Distribution System
The common thread of cats “happening” is that they seem to choose the people they hang out with. And that’s really the best way to judge whether you should get a cat: Does the cat choose you? Because cats are closer to their loyalty than people. People often get wrapped up in thoughts and ideas that cloud their instincts. So it’s up to the cat to decide for them. Usually the cat knows what is best.
So what do you think of the cat distribution system? is this true? Do you have your own story? Let’s talk about it in the comments.
