When Buster the cat was brought to the Orphan Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, his condition was truly heartbreaking. At six years old, this “big-boned sweetheart” had been rescued from the streets, and his time outdoors had taken a serious toll on his health. It was clear that Buster had been through a lot before finding safety at the shelter.
The staff at the sanctuary believed that Buster was likely someone’s pet before he ended up wandering the streets. He had somehow survived an entire winter on his own, braving the harsh weather and struggling to survive. Thankfully, he was rescued just in time, but not without accumulating numerous injuries.
Buster’s list of wounds was extensive and painful to hear about. He had a dislocated hip, broken and infected teeth, frostbitten ears that were both infected and frozen shut, scabs covering his body, and abscesses between his toes. In addition, Buster had a chemical burn on his head that left a scar, and his tail had been damaged, leaving it clubbed. It’s difficult to imagine the suffering this poor cat endured, but despite everything, Buster showed remarkable resilience.
It took a full three months for Buster to heal, but even after his recovery, he was left with visible signs of his past trauma. He now has a permanent bald spot on his head where the chemical burn scar remains, and his tail is a bit crooked. However, these physical differences haven’t affected his loving nature. Buster still had an abundance of affection to offer, and the staff at the shelter hoped that someone would see beyond his appearance and fall in love with his big heart, just as they had.
To help Buster find a forever home, the shelter took to Facebook, sharing his story and a picture of him. In their post, they introduced him as, “Hi! I am Buster, and I am a 6-year-old big-boned sweetheart.” The post continued, acknowledging that Buster’s appearance might make it harder for him to get adopted, but pleading with potential adopters to look past his bald spot, frostbitten ears, and quirky tail. The shelter promised that Buster would repay any kindness shown to him with endless love.
Despite everything he’d been through, Buster was described as incredibly affectionate. He loved being around other cats but sometimes got a bit too excited, leading to playful “love bites.” Because of this habit, the shelter suggested that he would be better suited to a home with older children.
The response to Buster’s story was overwhelming. The post quickly went viral, reaching over 400,000 people in a short amount of time. Even though Buster looked a little different, he managed to capture the hearts of people from all over.
The shelter staff were blown away by the outpouring of love and support for Buster. They shared an update on Facebook, expressing their gratitude for the incredible response. “We are a local, volunteer-driven cat rescue, and the response to this post from across the U.S., Canada, and Europe has been astounding,” they wrote in a post titled “BUSTER UPDATE.” They also thanked everyone for their patience as their small team of just two volunteers worked through the hundreds of inquiries they had received.
This act highlights critical gaps in our support systems for people in crisis and animal welfare. Urge authorities to provide those in crisis with the help they need to prevent animal abuse!
“We are so appreciative of everyone who commented, shared, and liked our post, and for the many people who have submitted an application. The amount of love everyone has shown for a cat who is down on his luck and in need of a loving home is a true testament to the good in this world.”
Applications to adopt Buster came flooding in at such a rapid pace that the shelter had to stop accepting any more. They now face the task of carefully selecting the perfect new home for this brave cat, ensuring that Buster finally gets the loving family he deserves.