We love seeing unlikely best friends, like a giant dog befriending a tiny kitten. Or what about a bunny with a cat for their best pal? And how about a bear whose best friend was a black cat for over 10 years?
Well, here’s the story of another unlikely friendship between an adorable Fennec Fox and a handsome black cat. When they were reunited after several weeks apart, how would they react?
Rupert the Fennec Fox and William the Black Cat
Recently, we saw this video of Rupert, a young white Fennec Fox whose best friend growing up was William, the black cat. Thousands enjoyed it on Instagram and Reddit. But they didn’t know the context or where they came from. Read on to find out the full story!
Rupert sees William, the cat and crouches down. Images via YouTube/ IPRescue
Awww. So cute!
When Rupert saw William, the reaction was over-the-top. As you can see in the videos below, there were lots of high-pitched yips, tail wags, and rolling over in the sand.
Clearly, the young fox was beside himself with joy! And William was also overjoyed, joining his friend by rolling over alongside him. As they enjoyed their happy reunion, you can hear a woman exclaiming, “Awww. So cute!”
As William proceeded to walk away, his tiny pal tagged along.
Clearly, Rupert did not want to see his kitty friend leave him behind, so he even tried to block the cat’s path! Have you ever seen so much excitement?
“I like you too, just dial it back some,” said one Redditor.
Images via YouTube/ IPRescue
“You’re at a 10 bud, I need you at a 6.5,” said another person.
Video by IPRescue:
How Rupert and William First Met
The story of these two friends is even more unlikely when you find out where they are from. This ecstatically happy reunion is still making people happy eleven years after being posted by the International Primate Rescue in South Africa, founded in 1996.
Although they care mostly for rescued primates, they also happened to care for two Fennec Foxes. First they received Roxy, a female. About a year later, Rupert arrived as a baby. He was just four weeks old at the time. Like a kitten, he needed hand-rearing, and that’s when he met William.
“While Rupert the fox was living in the house, we needed to find him a playmate,” shared Wildlife Rehabilitator Torie Curr Smith. “Along came William, the cat, and the two quickly became best buddies. This is their reunion after a few weeks apart. Turn the sound up!”
The video made Rupert a “little internet star” and “international sensation” at a primate rescue!
Video via Facebook/Inernational Primate Rescue , Torrie Curr Smith
Later, Rupert and Roxy had a litter of their own and proved to be “excellent parents,” the rescue shared.
“Rupert is one of our very beautiful and playful Fennec Foxes- he loves mice and wags his tail whenever you call ‘Rupey’,” shared the rescue.
Rupert the Fennec Fox as a kit/pup and an adult via Facebook/International Primate Rescue
The rescue shared the cute video to TikTok again in July 2023, where it received over 20.6K views. It’s their most popular TikTok so far, but happened over a decade ago. All this time later, the unlikely friendship of the cat and fox has touched thousands and will probably continue doing so for many years to come.
You can follow the International Primate Rescue on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Grown-up Rupert
