Idaho cat adoption healed hearts, allergies. Meet Treasure Valley’s cutest kitty

After two rounds of voting, Boise-area residents have crowned Treasure Valley’s cutest cat.

Jib-jib, an orange tabby cat from Eagle, claimed the top spot in the Idaho Statesman’s 2025 pet photo contest.

More than 5,800 votes were cast in the final round of voting, and more than 3,600 were for Jib-jib.

The 6-month-old tabby joined Jon and Krista, who declined to share their last name, this summer. The couple and their two children already can’t imagine home without him.

Who is the cutest cat in Treasure Valley?

The family adopted Jib-jib from Happy Jack Cats, a Meridian-based kitten rescue and adoption group, in July.

The kitten, who was originally named Saffron, had a mild heart murmur.

The rescue center was less than a mile from Jon and Krista’s home, so they figured they’d visit Saffron after seeing his online listing, and see how things go from there.

Once they met Saffron, however, they knew he was meant for them.

Jon said the employee at Happy Jack Cats mentioned Saffron hadn’t had a visitor in some weeks, and they wanted to be sure he was taken care of.

“I’m not even exaggerating when I say we fell in love instantly,” Jon said. “All four of us. We decided to visit a couple other cats just to be thorough, but honestly? We already knew.”

They picked up the kitten the next day, renaming him Jib-jib.

Their 12-year-old daughter had suggested the name — with no real reason behind it — when the family discussed the possibility of adopting a cat on vacation. The whole family agreed the name would be a good choice for their future cat.

Upon meeting Saffron, they all knew he was their Jib-jib.

The family prepared for the health complications that can come with a cat with a heart murmur — veterinarian visits, monitoring and extra love and care.

After Jib-jib moved in with the family, however, his heart murmur went away.

According to Jon, Jib-jib’s veterinarian says he’s a happy, healthy cat. He’ll still need yearly check-ups, but as far as his heart goes, the tabby had the best possible outcome.

Pet owner’s allergies disappear after adopting cat

That wasn’t the only interesting medical aspect of Jib-jib’s adoption.

Jon has allergies that prevented the family from getting a pet before Jib-jib. While on vacation with family members, he heard that managing cat allergies with over-the-counter medications is possible.

By the time they returned home from the vacation in July, their minds were made up — it was time for a family cat.

“Both kids have been wanting a pet for as long as we could remember, so we decided to just go for it,” Jon said.

Just in case the deal wasn’t sealed, though, their 12-year-old daughter gathered the family for a presentation with 10 reasons they should get a cat before school started again, including extra bonding time and a promise to pick up poop.

Jon prepared to take daily allergy medications. Since he always had a reaction when around others’ cats, he expected the transition to be brutal.

However, after Jib-jib came home, Jon had no allergic reaction to the family’s new pet.

“I bought allergy pills, mentally prepared myself to be miserable for the sake of my kids’ happiness, and ... nothing,” Jon said.

Unfortunately, his two children did develop allergic reactions — despite never having adverse reactions around cats before. Both kids needed allergy medication for weeks after bringing home Jib-jib, he said.

Jon said the family started to worry, and even wondered if they’d be able to keep Jib-jib. After a few weeks, he said, the impacts subsided and the kids no longer need morning medication.

“I have no idea what the science is behind that, but it was like magic,” Jon said.

What is life like for cutest kitty in Boise area?

Jon says Jib-jib is a very sweet cat who “just enjoys everything he gets a chance to do.”

Most days, the kitty hangs out in the office while Jon works from home, occasionally stepping on the keyboard and trying to catch the cursor.

When the rest of the family comes home, they’re always finding ways to play with Jib-jib, including taking him out in a stroller for walks across the street.

He has plenty of toys, but as is the case with many cats, household objects are often considered more enticing.

Jib-jib isn’t shy. He’ll hang out with everyone when guests are at the house.

Jon says he has “no fear.”

He also loves hanging out at open windows, staring out at whatever passes by.

Overall, Jib-jib’s a well-behaved cat, his owners said. He doesn’t try to knock stuff over or bolt out the door.

“It’s like he knows we’re his family, and he enjoys that,” Jon said.

The family is training Jib-jib to scratch his claws on his cat towers instead of furniture, and he’s quickly learning that cat towers mean treats.

The family says they loved Jib-jib before they ever met him.

“This little guy that nobody wanted to visit because of his heart condition is now in a loving and happy home,” Jon said. “We joke all the time about ‘How did we ever live without this little guy in our house?’ ”