Cats may not have the same reputation for loyalty as dogs, but they can be equally devoted to their loved ones. Toby, a cat, exemplifies this perfectly.
Despite his family deciding they no longer wanted him, Toby remained attached to them. His family did rehome him, but Toby had other plans.
The SPCA of Wake County shared that Toby originally appeared on his family’s doorstep as a stray. However, he clashed with their existing cats, prompting the family to give him to another home.
Toby, however, was not ready to move on. He trekked 12 miles back to his original home, demonstrating his loyalty. Unfortunately, instead of appreciating his dedication, the family asked a shelter to euthanize him.
“It was just so heartbreaking to know he made it all the way back to his family, and that was their response,” said Tara Lynn, communications director for the SPCA of Wake County, in an interview with The Dodo.
The public shelter refused to comply with the euthanasia request and contacted the SPCA. The SPCA swiftly rescued Toby, ensuring he received a medical evaluation and began the search for a permanent home.
Toby was found to be positive for feline immunodeficiency virus and had an upper respiratory infection, which required treatment. Despite his initial wariness around other cats, Toby quickly became a favorite among the SPCA staff due to his warm and affectionate nature.
Once Toby recovered and was ready for adoption, his story and picture were shared on social media. The response was overwhelming, with many eager to adopt him. Michele Puckett from Raleigh, North Carolina, was particularly keen and rushed to meet Toby. They bonded instantly.
“She had no hesitation whatsoever,” Lynn noted. “She was on a job site and just dropped everything to come here.”
Toby now enjoys a loving home with Puckett, her family, and two other cats. “He is just so sweet, cuddly, and loving,” Puckett shared with The Dodo. “He’s also pretty much taken over our bed, as if he’s lived here forever. He loves to relax and lay under our pillows.”
Puckett expressed her disbelief at how anyone could abandon Toby, but she is grateful he was saved. She hopes Toby’s story will raise awareness about the importance of giving pets like Toby a second chance.
“There are tons of pets who are easily discarded by their families or a breeder,” Puckett said. “I really hope he inspires other people to go out and adopt.”
Toby’s tale quickly went viral, gaining attention from media outlets worldwide. The SPCA remarked on the overwhelming response, noting how Toby’s story was shared globally.
“We’ve spent the last 36 hours fielding calls from newspapers, websites, and TV stations from across the country about Toby the cat,” the SPCA wrote. “His post received a lot of response, but it wasn’t until he was adopted that his story really took off on social media and has now been seen in New Zealand, Italy, Canada, South America, and around the globe.”
It’s heartening to know that Toby has finally found a loving home and has garnered support from fans worldwide.