In a remarkable turn of events on Thursday, July 24, a New York commuter’s routine subway ride transformed into an unforgettable experience when a kitten made its way into her train car.
Around 8:30 a.m., Betsaida Mercado was aboard her usual subway line when the little tabby kitten bravely crossed the platform and entered the car just moments before the doors closed.
Pocahontae Nehemiah, a Harlem local, captured the heartwarming moment in a TikTok video that would soon draw over 3 million views within just 24 hours. Nehemiah described the scene as “chaotic and concerning” as passengers reacted in a variety of ways, from attempting to grab the kitten to simply laughing at the unexpected sight.
“It was a typical NYC moment: Everyone reacting differently, but still collectively invested,” Nehemiah reflected on the unusual subway event.
While Nehemiah, who has allergies to cats, didn’t feel comfortable stepping in, Mercado intervened when she saw the kitten in distress.
“I had to blink twice. A random kitten was just walking around like it had paid the fare,” Nehemiah recounted.
Mercado, a lifelong Harlem resident, picked up the little creature, fully aware of her own responsibilities and acknowledging her instincts to help. Despite having never owned a cat before, she felt a strong sense of purpose.
“I just grabbed her. My first thought was making sure she was OK. My second thought was, ‘I’m going to be a cat mom,’” Mercado said.
Mercado described the kitten meowing loudly in the subway car, clearly frightened. During the ride, she tried to soothe the animal, assuring it that she was there to help.
“She actually never fought me off—never scratched me. I was really glad she was a very friendly cat,” she reflected on the encounter, believing that perhaps she was chosen by the kitten.
Upon reaching the next stop, Mercado called her boyfriend, as they had previously discussed the possibility of adopting a stray cat. Her boyfriend, supportive of the idea, met her at the station, where they could take the kitten home without disrupting Mercado’s workday.
Once home, her boyfriend bathed the kitten and introduced it to their dog, making the new addition feel welcome.
Mercado kept her social media followers updated on the kitten’s journey and sought help in deciding on a name.
She settled on either Metro for a male or Emmie for a female, both of which are clever nods to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) that operates the subway system.
Even as Mercado speculated about how the kitten ended up aboard the subway—whether it was lost or abandoned—she noted the cat’s cleanliness, raising questions about its origins.
“I’m not sure how she got on the subway,” Mercado shared, reflecting on the mystery of the encounter. “But she was extremely clean.”
Mercado expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support she received following the viral video and noted how the incident has changed her life.
“I think God put me on that train. He put me on that schedule so I would be the one,” Mercado shared, feeling a deep sense of purpose in the rescue.
She was convinced that the kitten was meant to find her, describing the moment as one that reaffirmed her role as a caretaker.
“She seemed like she was really lost. She found her mommy,” Mercado said with conviction.
In an era where many moments can easily go unnoticed, Mercado’s subway adventure serves as a heartwarming reminder of the unexpected connections that can emerge in everyday life.
As she embarks on her new journey as a cat mom, Betsaida Mercado and her newfound companion are sure to share many more memorable moments together.
image source from：nbcnewyork
