Who is Mei Mei, the Tole Tole cat taking over TikTok and Pinterest? Her story, her age, what meimei means in Chinese, and what her fame teaches us about caring for older rescue cats.
If you've scrolled TikTok, Instagram or Pinterest lately, you've probably seen her: a small brown tabby cat being cuddled to a catchy Japanese soundbite, or scurrying away like a bunny to dramatic piano music. She's Mei Mei, also known as the Tole Tole cat, and she's one of the internet's best-loved cat memes.
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But who is Mei Mei the cat? Where did the meme come from, how old is she, and what does her name mean? Below you'll find what's known about Mei Mei, the facts that are still uncertain, and what her story can teach every cat owner about older and rescue cats.
Quick answer: who is Mei Mei the cat?
Mei Mei is a brown tabby cat from China who became internet-famous in December 2023, when videos of her being held to the Japanese sound "Moka Chan Oshiete Kureta Irona Mita" went viral on TikTok. Fans also call her the Tole Tole cat or the Vro cat. A clip of her running away became a popular meme template in early 2024. Fan sources say she's a rescued street cat born in 2015, which would make her about 11 years old in 2026.
The facts at a glance
| Question | What's reported | How certain is it? |
|---|---|---|
| Real name | Mei Mei | Widely reported |
| Nicknames | Tole Tole cat, Vro cat | Widely reported |
| Where she lives | China | Reported by fan sources |
| When she went viral | December 2023 | Confirmed by meme trackers |
| Date of birth | 13 August 2015 | Fan sources only, unverified |
| Rescue date | 15 June 2022 | Fan sources only, unverified |
| Breed | Often listed as Japanese Bobtail, possibly mixed breed | Uncertain |
| Sex | Female | Widely reported |
Most of the personal details about Mei Mei come from fan wikis and fan articles rather than from her owners directly, so treat them as reported rather than confirmed.
How Mei Mei became the Tole Tole cat
The original video
According to the meme database Know Your Meme, the earliest known viral clip was posted to TikTok on 18 December 2023. It shows the brown cat lying on her owner's legs while the soundbite "Moka Chan Oshiete Kureta Irona Mita" plays. Know Your Meme reports that the video reached more than 35 million plays and 5.4 million likes within about three months.
Fan sources say Mei Mei's owner posted under the TikTok username tangtang_656, and that the original account has since been removed. The Silly Cat Wiki, a fan-run site, lists the account as banned. Because many people reposted the videos, it's often hard to tell which uploads were original.
The running cat meme
The second phase of Mei Mei's fame came in January 2024. Know Your Meme says a TikTok edit posted on 20 January 2024 combined two clips of the cat, including one of her running away like a startled bunny, set to sad music. It reached millions of views.
From there, the clip became what meme fans call an "exploitable": a template people reuse with their own captions. Typical versions show Mei Mei running away with text such as "me leaving the group chat after saying something embarrassing". Fan art, redraws and edits soon spread across Reddit, X and DeviantArt.
Why fans call her Tole Tole and Vro
The nickname "Tole Tole" comes from fans, and its exact origin isn't confirmed. Meme.com notes that neither "Tole Tole" nor "Mei Mei" has a confirmed origin story among fans. "Vro" is another nickname fans use in edits and comments.
Why she's trending again
Viral cats often have second and third waves of fame. Mei Mei regularly reappears as new edits, fan art and Pinterest boards circulate, and searches for "meimei cat" spike each time a new clip goes around.
How old is Mei Mei the cat?
Fan sources give Mei Mei's date of birth as 13 August 2015. A student newspaper profile published in October 2026, and the Silly Cat Wiki, both use this date. If it's correct, Mei Mei turned 11 in August 2026.
That would make her a senior cat. According to the 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines, cats are considered senior from about 10 years of age. These guidelines recommend vet check-ups at least every six months for senior cats.
We haven't been able to confirm her birth date from her owners, so treat her age as an estimate. Cats rescued as adult strays often have unknown birthdays, and their age is usually estimated by a vet.
What breed is Mei Mei?
Fan wikis list Mei Mei as a Japanese Bobtail, but they also note that some fans believe she's a mixed-breed cat. As a rescued street cat, she almost certainly has no pedigree papers, so her breed can't be confirmed.
About the Japanese Bobtail
The Japanese Bobtail is a real, naturally occurring breed. According to Hill's Pet Nutrition:
- It has been known in Japan since the 6th century.
- Its tail is naturally short and kinked, and "as individual as a fingerprint", with fur that stands out like a bunny's tail.
- It's described as active, sweet, loving and highly intelligent, and many enjoy playing fetch.
- It comes in shorthair and longhair varieties, with a soft, silky coat.
A short tail alone doesn't prove a cat is a pedigree Japanese Bobtail. Only pedigree papers or a DNA breed test can show a cat's ancestry with any confidence.
What does meimei mean in Chinese?
In Mandarin Chinese, 妹妹 (mèimei) means "younger sister". The word is made of the character 妹 (mèi), "younger sister", repeated. The HanTrainerPro Chinese dictionary lists it as one of the most common everyday words in Chinese.
Repeated syllables are common in Chinese nicknames and pet names because they sound soft and affectionate, much like "kitty" or "bubba" in English. That makes Mei Mei a sweet and very fitting name for a little female cat.
Mei Mei is also a popular name for pets more generally, so not every "Mei Mei" online is the famous Tole Tole cat.
What is the meme cat?
"Meme cat" is a broad term for any cat that becomes famous through internet memes. In 2024 to 2026, Mei Mei has been one of the most recognisable. Others in the same "silly cat" meme family include cats that went viral for a single funny expression, sound or reaction, which fans then reuse in thousands of edits.
What makes meme cats popular is simple: their expressions and movements are relatable. Mei Mei's panicked bunny run perfectly captures the feeling of wanting to escape an awkward moment, which is why it became a meme template.
What Mei Mei's story teaches cat owners
Mei Mei's videos are fun, but her story also touches on several real cat-care topics: rescue, senior cats, dental health and handling.
Older rescue cats make wonderful pets
Fan sources say Mei Mei was a pregnant street cat when she was rescued in 2022, at around seven years old. Her fame is a reminder that adult and senior cats can thrive in a new home.
RSPCA Australia encourages people looking for a pet to first consider adopting from the RSPCA or another reputable animal welfare organisation. Adult and senior cats are often overlooked in favour of kittens, but they usually have settled personalities, so you know what you're getting.
Toothless cats can still eat well
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Fans often comment on Mei Mei's toothless smile. Older and rescued cats sometimes lose teeth to dental disease or need teeth removed by a vet.
Hill's Pet Nutrition explains that, despite common misconceptions, cats without teeth can still eat well and can even eat dry kibble. After a tooth extraction, it recommends wet food for a while to avoid irritating the surgical site, and finishing any pain relief or antibiotics your vet prescribes.
Signs of dental pain in cats include drooling, dropping food, chewing on one side, bad breath and pawing at the mouth. See your vet if you notice any of these. Our guide on how to tell if your cat is sick covers other subtle signs cats hide.
How to hold a cat properly
Many viral cat videos show cats being squeezed or held in awkward positions. Some cats tolerate it, but many don't enjoy it. Cats Protection, the UK cat charity, gives clear advice:
- Only pick up a cat that's relaxed. If a cat is tense while being stroked, it's only tolerating the contact.
- Support the whole body. Put one hand under the chest behind the front legs, and support the back end with the other. Don't let the back legs dangle.
- Never scruff an adult cat. Cats Protection says picking a cat up by the scruff of the neck is incredibly uncomfortable for them.
- Keep it short. Most cats are only comfortable being held for a minute or two.
- Watch for stress signals. Put your cat down if it wriggles, hisses, growls or tries to bite.
- Let your cat choose. Many cats prefer sitting next to you or on your lap to being carried.
Senior cats need extra care
If Mei Mei really was born in 2015, she's now a senior cat. Senior cats benefit from:
- Vet check-ups at least every six months, as the AAHA/AAFP guidelines recommend
- Soft, comfortable beds and easy access to litter trays, food and water
- Gentle play to keep them active
- Regular grooming, since older cats often find it harder to groom themselves
- Close attention to changes in appetite, weight, thirst and litter habits
Senior cats can face higher vet bills as they age. Our guides to cat vet costs in Australia and whether cat insurance is worth it can help you plan.
Thinking of adopting your own Mei Mei? A checklist
- [ ] I've looked at adult and senior cats at local shelters and rescue groups, not just kittens.
- [ ] I've asked staff about the cat's personality, health history and dental health.
- [ ] I've checked my council's cat containment rules.
- [ ] I have a quiet room ready for the first few days.
- [ ] I've budgeted for a vet check-up, dental care and ongoing health costs.
- [ ] I know how to pick up and hold a cat safely.
- [ ] I'll let my new cat set the pace for cuddles and handling.
Before you bring a cat home, check the rules where you live in our guide to cat laws in Australia.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Mei Mei cat?
Mei Mei is a brown tabby cat from China who went viral on TikTok in December 2023. Fans also call her the Tole Tole cat or the Vro cat. Videos of her being held to a Japanese soundbite, and a clip of her running away, became popular memes.
How old is Mei Mei the cat?
Fan sources give her birth date as 13 August 2015, which would make her 11 years old in 2026. This date hasn't been confirmed by her owners, so treat it as an estimate. At that age, she would be considered a senior cat.
What does meimei mean in Chinese?
妹妹 (mèimei) means "younger sister" in Mandarin Chinese. Repeated syllables sound affectionate in Chinese, so Mei Mei is a popular, cute name for girls' nicknames and for pets.
What is the meme cat?
"Meme cat" refers to any cat that becomes famous through internet memes. Mei Mei, the Tole Tole cat, is one of the best-known recent examples. Her running clip is widely used as a template for jokes about escaping awkward situations.
What breed is the Tole Tole cat?
Fan wikis list Mei Mei as a Japanese Bobtail, but this isn't confirmed. She was reportedly a rescued street cat, so she may be a mixed-breed cat with a naturally short tail.
Why is it called the Tole Tole cat?
"Tole Tole" is a fan nickname, and its exact origin hasn't been confirmed. Fans use it alongside her real name, Mei Mei, and the slang nickname "Vro".
Is Mei Mei the cat still alive?
As of November 2026, we haven't found any reliable report of Mei Mei's death. Because the original account was reportedly removed, updates come mainly from fan pages, so check recent posts from trusted fan communities for the latest news.
Related guides
Sources
- Know Your Meme, Tole Tole Cat / Mei Mei Cat
- Meme.com, Tole Tole Cat / Mei Mei Cat: The viral running cat meme
- The Silly Cat Wiki (fan wiki), Mei Mei
- The Windjammer, All about TikTok famous cat Mei Mei
- HanTrainerPro Chinese dictionary, 妹妹 mèimei
- Hill's Pet Nutrition, Japanese Bobtail
- Hill's Pet Nutrition, Cat tooth extraction and recovery
- Cats Protection, How to pick up a cat
- American Association of Feline Practitioners, Updated feline life stage guidelines
- RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase, How do I find a responsible dog or cat breeder?
Details about Mei Mei come from public meme databases and fan sources and may change. Cat-care information is general only and not a substitute for advice from your vet.
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