Last updated Apr 10, 2025
Simba and Nala’s parents had a predicament – he was a dog person, and she loved cats. Like many people, their dad believed that cats were a lot of work for an animal that would ignore you in return. Their mom liked dogs, but had always had cats and wanted to continue caring for them.
Luckily, they found an unexpected compromise in two street animals, who they met during two separate road trips through Serbia.
Adopting a street dog
Before Simba came Nala the street dog, who their parents found while on a road trip in Serbia. She was just a puppy who had run out in front of their car.
They swerved to avoid hitting her and pulled over to make sure she was okay. They planned to leave her with some food, but then they noticed that she was in bad shape. They stayed on that highway with her for 45 minutes, trying to see if her mother or other puppies were nearby.
Their dad wanted to bring Nala home, but their mom was unsure. They were in the middle of a road trip and planning to continue travelling the world. A dog didn’t fit easily into that plan.
They decided to bring her to the vet and see if they could find her a good home. However, the vet informed them that she’d be a large dog–and actually recommended putting her back on the streets! Instead, they took her in themselves.
Meeting Simba
Hilariously, the couple was on another Serbian roadtrip when they came across Simba the cat. They had pulled over due to Nala’s car sickness when they spotted a cat hiding under their stopped car.
Their dad pulled the cat out, expecting him to go on his way. But, Simba kept going back under the car instead.
Their mom decided that if Dad got a dog, she should get a cat! They brought Simba into the front seat to meet Nala, and the two immediately got along.
After that, their dad vowed off road trips in Serbia, saying that they didn’t need any more pets!
Simba wins over his cat dad
Simba’s dad says that he initially saw him as something to deal with, since he made his wife happy. When Simba stubbornly chose him as his person, he slowly won him over.
“He’s not a cat, he’s my cat.” He says now that there’s nothing else in the world like Simba. He’s joined his parents on their travels and loves sleeping in his dad’s lap while he drives.
They take Simba everywhere with them, often on a leash. His dad says that even if the leash is dropped, Simba sticks right to his side.
Inspiration to foster
Simba’s dad says that he’s the reason he agreed to foster cats. The couple has since fostered nine of them–all lives that Simba helped save just by being himself.
He even got himself a cat brother out of it when his parents decided to foster fail with Luci, a sweet black cat.
They were moving to Madrid at the time and knew that if they didn’t find Luci a home soon, he’d end up back on the streets. Since they couldn’t do that to him, they decided to bring him along instead.
They say that he gets along well with Simba and Nala, and his dad calls him a really good cat–high praise from someone who previously didn’t consider himself a cat person!
As for their mom, her favorite activity is walking Nala and Simba together down the street. She loves to watch them happily explore the world together.
You can see more of this sweet family on Instagram.
