Cats have a special place in the hearts of people all over the world. They are often appreciated for being tidy, quiet, and requiring relatively little care. While they make excellent companions, it’s heartbreaking to know that millions of cats in the U.S. are without homes. One of those stray cats was Bart, a striking black and white cat with an interesting story.
Anna, who was already fostering a few cats, first noticed Bart as a stray lingering near her house. At first, Bart kept his distance, observing her and her roommate from afar. It was only after they offered him food that Bart began to show up more regularly. Sometimes, he’d even sit on the window ledge, quietly waiting for them to notice him.
In the evenings, Bart would scratch at the window, trying to get their attention, but Anna couldn’t let him in because she already had a full house of cats. Despite this, Bart seemed undeterred by the situation. For the first few months, he didn’t interact much with them, until one day, something changed.
Anna recalled to The Dodo, “The first time he showed any interest in us, he was in the window. My roommate just reached her hand out and started to pet him.” That small moment turned into a breakthrough, and from then on, Bart wanted to be around them constantly.
Bart quickly became fond of being petted, lying down as if waiting for attention. Gradually, after spending five or six months outside their home, Bart grew more comfortable with them. He began following Anna around and would even cry when she left. It was clear to Anna that Bart longed for affection and needed someone to love him.
The real turning point came when Bart sat on Anna’s lap for the first time. She knew she couldn’t leave him behind. When the time came for Anna to move, she borrowed a humane trap to catch Bart and bring him with her. After about eight hours of trying, she finally succeeded in getting him into a cage.
Once they were settled in their new place, Bart seemed a little cautious at first, not quite sure what to make of the new surroundings. But as soon as he heard Anna’s voice, it was as if everything clicked for him. “Once he heard my voice, it was like he immediately recognized, ‘I’m with somebody safe,’” Anna explained.
Bart has now fully adjusted to his new home, where he’s both happy and relaxed. Anna says he’s incredibly sweet, loves to play, and is constantly by her side. “To have a cat who wants to follow you around, I feel like I have a best friend,” she shared.
Anna’s journey with Bart is a beautiful example of the bond between a pet and its owner. It’s clear that saving Bart not only changed his life but brought so much joy into Anna’s. Bart, who once had no home, now has a loving family, and Anna has found a lifelong companion in him.
These poor kitties were rescued from an animal cruelty case where they were starved, locked in cages with inches of feces, and received no water or food. Now, these cats need your help!
If you’re thinking about getting a pet, remember there are many animals in shelters who are looking for a forever home. Adopting a pet, like Bart, can truly be a life-changing experience—for both the animal and you.