A cat named Gus was 19 years old when he arrived at a shelter. His family was heartbroken to give him up, but a sudden life-changing situation left them with no choice. The shelter promised to give Gus lots of love, but they knew he deserved a more suitable environment for his senior years.
Upon arriving, Gus got a health screening that showed he was in excellent condition for almost 20 years old. He was still very active and loving despite everything. Senior pets are often the last to get adopted, but luckily, Gus’ perfect family found him sooner than expected.
101-Year-Old Woman Seeks Elderly Cat
The Humane Society of Catawba County worried that it would be hard for Gus to find a home because of his age. But to their surprise, someone was looking for a senior cat around the same time.
A few weeks into Gus’ shelter stay, the volunteers received a call from a family looking for a cat for their 101-year-old mother named Penny. Penny’s cat recently passed away, so her kids gave her a plush cat to cuddle with, but it didn’t fill the hole in Penny’s heart. To Penny, a stuffed toy would never live up to the purring of a real cat.
Specifically, the family asked for a senior cat. When they learned about Gus, they fell in love.
“We were cautious because of the age of all parties, but the family said they were willing to care for the cat on behalf of their mother,” said Jane Bowers, the Humane Society of Catawba County’s executive director.
Meant to Be!
Penny would get to enjoy lots of Gus’ cuddles while her family helped care for him. It seemed like the ideal situation for everyone involved. So, the shelter completed the adoption and sent Gus home with his new loving family.
“Our [hearts] are full with this beautiful adoption. Our 19-year-old (133 in human years) Great-GrandPAW, has found the loving arms of his new mamma who is the ripe young age of 101. Congratulations Gus-Gus! Wishing you the best days ahead watching squirrels and sharing your love and purrs!” the humane society wrote on Facebook.
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It didn’t take long for Gus to get comfortable in his new home. According to Bowers, the family said he has “settled in fine and was eating like a horse.” He already loves sitting on Penny’s lap and watching out the window for squirrels.
Senior pets are often overlooked at shelters, but they are usually the most grateful and loving animals out there. So, if you’re looking to adopt a new furry family member, consider meeting some adoptable seniors.
Featured Image: Facebook