He’s not a lemur — he’s a cat with a gaze that melts hearts 😻
Earlier this month in California, a tiny stray kitten managed to capture the attention of an entire shelter — and soon after, the internet. Late one evening, as staff at Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) were closing up, they noticed the little feline sneaking around the laundry room.
“We’re in an industrial area, so community cats sometimes wander onto our property and find hiding spots,” Jules Hooper, marketing specialist at VCAS, explained to The Dodo.
That night, the timid kitten avoided human contact but couldn’t resist the plate of food left out for him. By the following morning, he was safely secured in a humane trap and taken to the vet for evaluation.
It wasn’t until VCAS shared his adoption profile that the real buzz began. At just 4 months old, the kitten was given the name Owl — a fitting tribute to his enormous, round eyes. Almost instantly, curious messages flooded in. People wanted to know: “Are his eyes really that big?”
To clear any doubts, VCAS posted additional photos and even a video of Owl on Instagram. The response was overwhelming. Commenters compared his bulging orbs to “a Tim Burton character,” “Gollum,” and even “a lemur.” One fan joked that his eyes were so big they could “see into the future.”
Despite the unusual appearance, VCAS’ veterinary team assured everyone that Owl was perfectly healthy. His eyes, though unusually large, functioned normally and didn’t seem to cause him any discomfort. Still, they recommended regular checkups for his future adopter, just in case treatment might be needed later.
“For now, he’s just a happy little kitty,” Hooper said.
Among those who saw Owl’s photos was a VCAS supporter who immediately fell in love.
“The minute we saw him, we knew we had to meet him,” Lilliana recalled. “He was just the cutest thing ever.”
Although many people had expressed interest, Lilliana arrived bright and early the very next morning when the shelter opened. Owl, shy at first, quickly relaxed when she scooped him into her arms. That same day, he went home with her.
Once adopted, Owl was given a new name: Bobble. Slowly but surely, he began adjusting to his forever home.
“Bobble is coming out of his shell a little more every day,” Lilliana said. “At night, he’s playful and mischievous, and he loves meeting and interacting with our other cats. He’s just a sweetheart.”
Though Bobble has already had his share of internet fame, what matters most now is that he’s found safety, love, and family. Some fans have even suggested creating a dedicated Instagram page for his giant eyes, though Lilliana hasn’t decided on that yet.
Whatever the future holds, one thing is certain: this little cat with the big eyes has an even bigger heart. Or, as one admirer perfectly put it:
“Wide eyes, big heart — can’t lose.”
