An orange former barn cat, Pumpkin, became besties with a black bunny, Bugs. Pumpkin was just a kitten when she first met the rescued bunny living at the Freedom Farmhouse Sanctuary in Macedon, New York. Ever since then, Pumpkin ran to boop Bugs on the nose every morning!
It’s one of many “love stories” on the farm where Pumpkin is one of over 16 “barn lions.” A couple, Emily and Dylan, took in all of the cats when they purchased the property in 2018 and got a surprise, discovering 16 cats living there. Later, they also adopted Pumpkin and her sister Spice. They were born in a friend’s horse barn and needed homes.
Pumpkin and Spice as kittens. Images via Facebook/ Freedom Farmhouse Sanctuary
All of the mostly orange kitties are extremely lucky since Emily was a former rescuer and foster coordinator. She and Dylan have since cared for them and shared their daily adventures on social media. They carefully constructed a wonderful cat house for the barn lions and got them spayed and neutered.
Over the summer, they posted the story about Bugs and Pumpkin, and it went viral. Pumpkin comes running down the hallway to the area where Bugs was living in a fenced area on the floor at the time.
Jumping over the fencing, Pumpkin immediately goes over to give Bugs an affectionate head butting. Then we see the cuties rolling around together like lovebirds, such a cute odd couple.
“My cat has to say hello to my bunny each morning,” the story begins.
Video via Facebook/Freedom Farmhouse
Pumpkin and Spice first Met Bugs as Kittens
After seeing a cat and bunny best friends, everyone wanted to know more. How long had they known one another? You can see Pumpkin meeting Bugs when she was a little one with her sister Spice.
Pumpkin always loved giving Bugs a gentle boop or pet with her tiny polydactyl paws and continued doing it ever since.
Watching them play, you can see the bunny loves the attention and affection. It’s heartwarming to see the kitty being so gentle with the bunny. Online, some were concerned about Bugs, but Pumpkin has known the bunny all her life.
Video via Facebook/Freedom Farmhouse
Pumpkin Found Hiding Out with Bugs
One day, Emily went to find Pumpkin because it was time to put the kitties in their cat room for the night. But Pumpkin was missing. As it turned out, she was hiding out in Bug’s pen inside the bunny tunnel. After going over to say goodnight to her pal, Emily escorted her to the cat room.
Watch below as Pumpkin walks over to say goodnight to Bugs before heading off to bed. It may be unusual, but we’ve shared the story of another cat and bunny duo who became best friends in foster care.
Video via Facebook/Freedom Farmhouse
Sadly in September, the always adventurous Pumpkin went missing from the farm. Praying for her to be hiding safely nearby, we all hope to see her return one day soon. In the meantime, supporters have recently helped the family get all the “barn lions” a microchip. Best wishes for a wonderful New Year at this adorable sanctuary for kitties, bunnies, donkeys, goats, dogs, and other cute creatures.
You can see more of the Freedom Farmhouse on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
