When London-based filmmaker Paris Zarcilla went upstairs to retrieve his sweater, he had no idea his life would be forever changed by the furry intruders lurking beneath his mattress.
A cat had taken up residence in a cozy nook under his bed and had given birth to four kittens.
Because Paris didn't have it in his sympathetic heart to kick out the visitors who couldn't speak for themselves, he was left with no other option than to become "Cat Dad."
"So... I JUST FOUND A CAT THAT IS NOT MINE AND IT HAS HAD BABIES UNDER MY BED," Paris wrote on Wednesday morning. His tweet has since clawed its way up to 22 thousand likes.
So... I JUST FOUND A CAT THAT IS NOT MINE AND IT HAS HAD BABIES UNDER MY BED. https://t.co/83ktBHGgT5— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla) 1527670414.0
Paris looked into the cat's adoring eyes and questioned his fate: "Am I a dad?" Based on his followup tweets, he is meow.
Trying to adjust to the catshit crazy reality of going upstairs to grab a jumper but instead finding a cat and 4 kittens. Am I dad now?— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla) 1527670662.0
Cancelling all my plans. Crawling under the bed to spend the rest of the day with my four new children. #newdad— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla) 1527673125.0
You know that paraphrased saying: "Don't go looking for love, it will find you?" This couldn't be a more prime example.
Cuteness update: I'm dying. https://t.co/fJWUVnlNKh— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla) 1527676493.0
In an instant, he's adapted to his new role as Cat Dad with aplomb.
I am living for these babies. Any work commitments I have are now temporarily on hold. Sorry I'm a dad now.— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla) 1527677863.0
Just cancelled my order for comics and single malt whiskey. Now buying cat food. This is fatherhood yo! I'm here fo… https://t.co/r1DZIxpYFx— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla) 1527679512.0
Yeah, this guy is screwed. And we're so happy for him.
I feel like the veil of the universe is being lifted slightly. Like, I feel high. Is this what it feels like to hav… https://t.co/nWOAmKfrWf— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla) 1527681504.0
His enthusiasm over the new discovery proves that having a pet can truly enhance our lives.
According to BMC Psychiatry, pet ownership can have lasting benefits to mental health. Based on how the new members of the household instantaneously lifted his spirits, the cats truly are a panacea to Paris's anxiety and depression.
This is too much. I'm approaching nirvana. I legitimately suffer from anxiety attacks and depression and my capacit… https://t.co/2MLq9G3Z68— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla) 1527683776.0
Is it unhealthy to get tears on kittens? Is it unhealthy to cry about kittens? Asking for me.— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla) 1527685126.0
The hashtag made him an official "Cat Dad," and those kittens couldn't ask for anyone better.
To my cat sons and daughters, I'll be the hero you deserve, but not the one it needs right now (because of mama cat… https://t.co/5dEPeZYMYi— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla) 1527688914.0
Literally re-emerging from underneath the bed. Possibly now as a different person. Reborn as #CatDad. Wiser. Hairy… https://t.co/7lFhpOo44f— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla) 1527702580.0
Twitter congratulated the new, proud father.
@ParisZarcilla How wonderful!!!! You are so blessed! I would want to just sit and watch them sleep, they are beau… https://t.co/ytmgQiGNgy— DedeⓋ (@DedeⓋ) 1527703829.0
@ParisZarcilla I've been there. You're never ready to be a #CatDad. You wake up one day and a pregnant mama cat c… https://t.co/Hz9yXUMRFV— MaveriKat (@MaveriKat) 1527703685.0
He was greeted by a pet enthusiast who gave the new parent some helpful tips.
@ParisZarcilla Pets are a reminder that we are needed and loved and would be terribly missed if we left. I hope the… https://t.co/F8ISeMRTud— ksheldon (@ksheldon) 1527703916.0
@ParisZarcilla On a cat note: Be sure their nest/bedding is clean & check for any signs of fleas, they can be very… https://t.co/n3gSjvyuCU— ksheldon (@ksheldon) 1527704050.0
The big mystery is still on people's minds.
@ParisZarcilla Um... might be an obvious question - where did this cat come from? And how did it get into your room?— Rochelle Dancel (@Rochelle Dancel) 1527673121.0
@RochelleDancel Excellent question. I actually don't know. I suspect it's a neighbour's. I leave my back door open… https://t.co/AfZjFoOvha— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla) 1527673384.0
In case anyone was concerned, Paris continues making efforts to reunite the cat with its owner but hopes for a different outcome.
@RochelleDancel Going to get mama cat scanned to track down owner. But I am so ready to be a dad right now.— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla) 1527678353.0
It's not surprising that a cat wandered through Paris's open backdoor and found a cozy spot to give birth. Purina UK notes that cats "often try to sneak away to give birth in private" and the comforting location happened to be the perfect place.
Life threw Paris a furrball and it looks like he's keeping it.
We wish the new father many years of happiness.