Woman Living Abroad Rescues Cat, Then Forced To Relocate—Tears at What Does

A woman living abroad has moved social-media users after sharing the emotional journey of rescuing a stray cat that she refused to leave behind when it came time to relocate. 

In a viral Instagram video shared in February by @selevena11, the poster, Saleena, documents her journey relocating from Dubai with her rescued cat, Eleven, telling Newsweek there was no chance the feline would be left behind.  

The clip, which has now surpassed more than 108,000 views and over 10,000 likes, shows moments from their travel alongside on-screen text that reads: “Are you relocating? You rescued me just to leave me behind? Me: Never. We move together or not al all.” 

The caption tells the full story of how Eleven entered Saleena’s life. The cat was found in Dubai during the hottest time of the year, a period Saleena describes as pure survival for stray animals, with limited safe spaces and few pet-friendly areas.  

According to the caption, Eleven approached Saleena on their first meeting, an interaction that felt immediate and meaningful. 

The poster began feeding the cat daily, helping her find safer places and protecting her from other aggressive animals. Over time, the routine turned into a bond. “And somewhere in between…I became her mom,” Saleena wrote. 

When her circumstances changed and she had to leave Dubai, leaving Eleven behind was never considered.  

The caption outlines the difficult process that followed, involving permits, vet visits, paperwork, airport checks, and customs clearance. “It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t cheap. But if she trusted me once, I owed her forever,” the caption reads. 

The journey itself came with its own surprises. “And guess what? On the flight, the only one causing drama was a human baby crying the whole time. My baby? Absolute angel. The calmest travel companion ever,” Saleena wrote, ending with the line: “Rescue isn’t temporary. It’s a promise.” 

Saleena said that Eleven was a stray living near her workplace, surviving by searching through trash and keeping a distance from people. Having recently moved from the U.K., Saleena began noticing the cat and soon built a daily routine of buying breakfast for herself and food for Eleven. 

Saleena described how harsh conditions for stray animals in Dubai made a lasting impression on her, especially during the extreme summer heat. One day, when Eleven didn’t appear, Saleena feared the worst. That same day, she came across a message that stayed with her and helped her decide that, if Eleven returned, she would take her home. 

When the cat reappeared, calm and trusting, the decision felt confirmed. Eleven adapted quickly to indoor life despite being an adult cat, following Saleena everywhere and adjusting to multiple moves. 

Eventually, Saleena’s job in Dubai ended. Despite suggestions to leave the cat behind, she refused. With support from her family, Saleena handled the international travel process herself. When they arrived in India, Eleven slowly adjusted to life with two other cats, spending weeks close by Saleena’s side before exploring more. 

Looking back, Saleena said rescuing Eleven changed both of their lives. “For me, Eleven was just one rescue. But for her, it was her whole life.” 

One user, Naelasajjad, commented: “You are an inspiration.” 

Abhinava_rimo said: “Leaving behind your pets is never an option. I don’t care what anyone says.” 

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.