It started with a quiet moment and a wounded calico wandering into a place she didn’t belong—at least, not officially. But by the end of her story, it was clear that she’d found exactly where she was meant to be.

A surprise visitor in need of help

On a chilly March morning in 2024, officers at a small gendarmerie in Grand-Pressigny, a village tucked in central France, noticed an unexpected visitor roaming the grounds: a frail, injured cat limping through the station’s courtyard. The one who spotted her first, Adjutant Karine, could tell straight away something wasn’t right.

The cat, just a year old, had visible injuries to her hind legs and was struggling to walk. Without hesitation, the officers set up a warm, quiet corner in their barracks, offering food, water, and a bit of calm to their new feline guest.

When the shelter had no room, they made one

With their hearts already softening, the officers reached out to a nearby animal rescue shelter in Boussay. Unfortunately, the facility was temporarily unable to accept new animals due to a cat flu outbreak, leaving the team with few options.

They weren’t about to leave her in the cold again. The next step was a visit to a local veterinary clinic, where the cat was treated for her injuries and a gastrointestinal issue. She was also sterilized to prevent future complications. And then, something unexpected happened—they brought her back to the gendarmerie, unsure what would come next.

A name, a caretaker, and a permanent post

Back at the station, the cat had already made herself at home. The officers—now completely smitten—gave her a name: Una. Gendarme Alban took on the role of her primary caretaker, with the others sharing vet expenses and supplies. Her recovery, both physical and emotional, unfolded quietly but surely within the walls of her new unlikely home.

“She’s part of the team now,” one officer noted, describing how Una had become a comforting presence in the station’s day-to-day rhythm.

From stray to station cat

In an age when digital alerts and paperwork dominate much of police life, there’s something genuinely touching about a rescue story like Una’s. She didn’t just find shelter—she found a family, a daily routine, and a circle of people willing to step up when no one else could.

Sometimes, home isn’t a place you look for. Sometimes, it’s where people decide you belong.