Getting a date for prom can be a tough time for many guys - so it's always good to have a back-up plan in time for the big day.

A young man named Sam Steingard - whose sister Caroline, 20, of Washington D.C. shared his story online - was one such unlucky student, but luckily, he had the perfect back-up date.

The photo posted on Imgur, which is now gaining 18-year-old Sam internet fame, comes with the simple title: 'My brother took our cat to prom.'

The big night: A young man named Sam Steingard has become an online sensation after taking his cat Ruby to prom after he struggled to find a date

Best buds: The photo was taken last year by Sam and Caroline's father Bryan

The caption below the image reads: 'He couldn't find a date.'

The hilarious photo, apparently taken last year by his father Bryan Steingard, shows Sam, dapper in a tux and a pink bow tie, holding up the family cat, Ruby.

The fluffy gray and white kitty is sporting a silky pink dress covered in colorful embroidery to match Sam's tie.

Beyond the fact that the idea itself is adorable, Ruby's sweet expression looking up lovingly at her prom date simply makes the photo.

A good look: Ruby was dressed in a bright pink outfit to match her date Sam's bow tie

Look of love: Sam's sister shared the original photo online and in less than a day it was viewed more than 100,000 times

Confusion: Many of the people commenting on the image questioned why 'cute' Same was unable to find a date

After posting the photo on Imgur, it quickly spread, being viewed more than 100,000 times in less than one day.

It has also received hundreds of comments, many of which are written by people simply surprised that such a clever guy didn't manage to get a date.

'First of all, your brother is cute af and the girls at his school must be nuts/blind/both,' wrote one viewer. 'Second, your kitty lurves him, hope they had fun. [sic]'

Quality time: Other remarked on how the cat seemed to be totally in love with her owner, with one saying ''I hope that someday someone will look at me the way she looks at him'

'How?' asked one commenter. 'He's cute, even the cat thinks so!' while another said: 'How could he not find a date? This dude looks great!'

One viewer added: 'I hope that someday someone will look at me the way she looks at him.'

No word on how the night went, but presumably if Sam wasn't a hit with the ladies already, fans of the photo reckon he would be by the end of the night.