A homeless cat snuck into the St. Petersburg’s Zoo in Russia, hungry and alone the calico cat was lucky to stumble upon some much needed food and water. The only potential issue was that the food and water belonged to a much larger lynx. In the end, the cat got much more than it bargained for, including a new best friend.

The one thing all living creatures covet is love, we need to give love and we need to receive love. Without companionship the world is a lonely and scary place. It’s not just humans that feel this way; even animals that are not traditional pack animals need a friend to depend on. Case and point: take a look at the heartwarming friendship shared between this calico house cat and European lynx.

While the lynx and the calico are both considered feline, these two don’t look like the most likely of pals, especially taking into consideration their size difference. Still, the pair hit it off from day one and continues to share a very loving relationship. To see the extent of their love, you can watch a video of the two very different felines cleaning one another at the bottom of this post.

According to locals, the calico cat was only a kitten when she first stumbled into the lynx enclosure. The kitten was homeless and would sneak into the Lynx’s home to get food and water. Instead of rejecting or fighting off the tiny intruder, the lynx embraced her visitor with open paws and a big, warm heart.

Since the calico was only a kitten when the pair first formed a bond, the kitten looks at the lynx like her mother. After all, when she arrived at the zoo she was in need of a mother’s tender care and the once lonely lynx was happy to play mom. Ever since the two have carried on their close relationship, each providing the other with the love and companionship all creatures crave.

Zoo employees were undoubtedly shocked when they first saw the stray cat chilling with the lynx, but it was clearly apparent that the two were very happy together and needed one another. The zoo did the best thing it could for the animals by adopting the sweet cat so that the lynx and cat can live together forever. Today, they still live in the same enclosure and remain best pals.

The lynx is considered a medium-sized cat. Out in the wild, the lynx lives throughout remote northern forests of North America, Europe, and Asia. The lynx is known as a solitary cat that hunts at night in order to avoid being seen. These skilled hunters can spot a mouse 250 feet away, but that doesn’t mean they are evil killers. Clearly, the lynx has a soft spot for other creatures in need.

The lynx is often hunted for its gorgeous coat. By purchasing fur coats, scarfs and other accessories you play a role in the killing of these gorgeous, loving creatures. Be kind to animals–faux fur is way cooler!

The St. Petersburg Zoo is Russia’s oldest zoo; it is also referred to as The Leningrad Zoo or Leningradskiy Zoopark. Sofia Gerhardt and Julius Gerhardt founded it in 1865. Today, it houses around 2,000 animals including over 400 species. Perhaps the zoo’s most unique enclosure is the one containing lynx and calico cat.

Adorable video of calico cat and lynx grooming each other:

Photo Credits: lovemeow.com, Viral Posts

Next Up: 23 Unusual Animal Friendships That Are Absolutely Adorable