Cat believes he's part lamb and leads a flock of loyal followers

This ginger tabby has some unique friends.

Meet Steve the cat and his loyal lambs!

steve the cat with his lambs
Amanda Whitlock

Ever since Steve had his first encounter with lambs in New Zealand, he and his lamb buds have shared a special bond.

He's become their leader, and they follow him around everywhere.

Amanda Whitlock has had Steve since he was a kitten.

He was the only animal in the house, feeling a bit lonely at times until when he was 8 months old, he was introduced to the lambs Amanda and her partner brought inside from the cold.

Steve liked his new friends.

steve with a lamb buddy
Amanda Whitlock

"They stay inside for about three nights or so just to keep warm," Whitlock told New Zealand Herald. "He'd just sort of get used to them and spend time with them inside and then the lambs move outside and we started noticing Steve wasn't inside any more…"

They think that Steve believes he's part lamb... especially since his lamb buddies love him so much!

steve and lamb buddy
Amanda Whitlock