She Was Scared of People — But Saved 120 Stray Cats with Leftovers From 100 Weddings

A woman in China has touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. She struggled with anxiety and the fear of talking to strangers. But she found a way to face her fear and help more than 120 stray cats at the same time. This is the story of her unusual journey — one that shows courage, kindness, and creative thinking

A Life of Anxiety

The woman is known as Xuanxuan online. She comes from Baoshan in Yunnan province, a region in the southwest of China. For many years, she lived with social anxiety, a condition that makes it very hard to be around people or talk to strangers. Even simple conversations could feel overwhelming for her.

Before her journey with animals began, she worked part-time as a video editor. But she often felt uncomfortable and shy in social situations. For many people with anxiety, daily life can feel like a challenge. But something unexpected changed her life

Meeting Her First Cat

In the winter of 2022, Xuanxuan saw a small cat outside in the cold. The cat was shivering. Rather than walk past, she reached out. She brought the cat home and took care of it. That first small act of kindness changed her life — and the lives of many animals.

After rescuing that first cat, she continued to help more strays that she met. Slowly, her home became a safe place for more and more animals. Soon, she was taking care of over 120 cats — all living in and around her house. Each animal needed daily food, love, and attention.

The Problem of Feeding So Many Animals

Feeding that many animals is not cheap. Xuanxuan said that feeding just one small cat every day costs about 3 yuan — about 40 US cents. With more than a hundred cats, her daily cost easily went above 300 yuan. That is a lot of money for someone with a small income.

She quickly realized that she could not support all the animals on her own. She needed food — a lot of it. And then she had a surprising idea.

A Wedding Banquet Changes Everything

One day, Xuanxuan attended a wedding banquet — not for celebration, but out of curiosity. There were many dishes on the tables, full of food that people did not eat. Much of the food was good and untouched. But it was being thrown away.

That moment made her think: “So much food is wasted, while my cats are hungry.” She felt a spark inside her. Instead of feeling afraid, she felt determined. She decided to collect leftover food from banquets and bring it home for the animals.

That idea became the beginning of what she called her “Leftover Rescue Plan.” The name says it all — she would rescue food that others might throw away and use it to feed her cats.

Facing Her Fear

The plan was simple, but it required something difficult for her: talking to strangers. She had to approach newlyweds, ask for permission, and explain why she wanted the extra food. For someone with social anxiety, this was not easy. Every conversation took courage.

But she pushed herself again and again. She practiced what to say. At many weddings, she carried a small red envelope with her — a traditional gift given to the newlyweds as a sign of respect. Then she would say,

“This is from the cats. Can I take the leftover food?”

At first it was scary. But soon, most couples were kind and understanding. Many did not just agree. They encouraged her to take the food. Some even contacted her beforehand to make sure she would come.

How She Gets the Food

Over the past three years, she has visited nearly 100 wedding banquets. Sometimes, she brought home as much as 30 kilograms (about 66 pounds) of untouched food. She does not feed it to the cats right away. Instead, she takes the food home and re-steams it, reducing the oil and salt so it is healthier for the animals.

She focuses on dishes that are safe for cats — like plain chicken, fish, and seafood. Anything too spicy or too salty is left out. Her goal is to keep her animals healthy and well-fed.

Online Fame and Support

Her story soon spread online. She started posting short videos about her life and her mission. People were amazed. Her most popular video gained 50 million views and more than 1.5 million likes. Many people around the world shared her videos and encouraged her.

Some followers send support. They send money, food, or share tips on caring for animals. Her online community grew, and so did her confidence. Instead of shrinking away from people, she now connects with thousands of followers who admire her work

More Than Feeding Cats

Her mission is about more than feeding cats. It is about finding strength and growing beyond fear. Every time she speaks to someone at a wedding, she faces her anxiety and wins a small victory. Every time a cat eats a good meal, she knows her decision mattered.

She calls it a meaningful life — helping animals and reducing food waste at the same time. She said that feeding stray cats and saving leftover food give her life purpose and courage.

Why Her Story Matters

People around the world connect with this story because it is simple yet powerful. It reminds us that:

Small acts can make a big difference.

Helping others — even animals — can change your life.

Courage grows when you face your fears again and again.

Her journey shows that even someone who once feared people can find a voice — and use it to help others. Whether it is rescuing leftover food or saving stray cats, her actions show kindness in the world