They were cats in the end.

[Trevor Gordon]

Many years ago I read a short story set after a nuclear war. A group of computer satellites try to help some surviving children only for the reveal at the end that they are cats! Does anyone have any idea of what it could be called and who is it by?

 

[John Thiel III]

They were cats indeed. But I don't know the story. I'd just compare it with Simak's CITY in which the characters are tale-telling dogs.