Julie’s life changed forever when she met a very special cat named Luna, who had spent her existence in confinement. For 12 years, Luna had known nothing but the walls of a small rabbit cage, leaving her yearning for freedom and love. Julie, already a dedicated cat mom, had adopted Luna’s brother, Olly, in 2017. A year later, on Olly’s birthday, Julie decided to donate supplies to the Animal Rescue League in his honor. That simple act led her to the cat who would change her heart forever.
As Julie walked through the shelter, she noticed Luna — the last senior cat left behind. The staff explained that Luna had been overlooked repeatedly. “She had some bathroom issues, she was older, and her past made people hesitant to take a chance,” Julie recalled in the video below. In that moment, Julie knew Luna was meant to be part of her family. “I absolutely needed to be the one that took a chance on her,” she said.
From the moment Luna arrived home, it was as if she had been waiting for this day her whole life. “She instantly rolled on her back, showing me her belly and wanting to play,” Julie said in awe. “By that evening, she was trying to bond with her brother, and by the next day, they were already snuggling on the couch.” Luna settled in effortlessly, as if she had always belonged there.
Luna’s past had been far from kind. She was rescued from a hoarding situation, where her teeth were damaged from drinking out of a rabbit feeder. Her white fur, once beautiful, had been stained from living in filth for over a decade. “There was so much pain I felt for her,” Julie shared. “I wanted to give her a life with no boundaries, no restrictions. She deserved to run, jump, sleep, and play wherever she wanted. The world was finally hers.”
Julie’s connection with Luna grew stronger each day. It was so profound that, on her wedding day, Julie included Luna in her vows. “I told my husband that I’ll always love Luna a little bit more than him, and we both agree that’s okay,” Julie said with a smile.
Now approaching her 18th birthday, Luna continues to enjoy life to the fullest, even as age brings challenges. She was diagnosed with stage 2 kidney disease and dementia. “Sometimes she stares at walls, cries in the middle of the night, or forgets she just ate and asks for more food,” Julie explained. “It’s hard, but we’re doing everything we can.” An upcoming ultrasound will provide a deeper look at her health, as Luna’s weight has been slowly dropping. Yet through it all, her spirit remains bright.
Julie’s love for senior cats drives her to cherish every moment. “I only adopt older cats, knowing their lives are shorter. But I’ll never have any regrets because I’ve spent every single day reminding them that they’re the most important beings on the planet,” Julie said.
These abusers are facing numerous charges of animal abuse, but we must also ensure they never own or interact with pets again and receive counseling for their twisted psychological states.
Luna’s story is proof of what love and patience can do. From the confines of a rabbit cage to the warmth of a family who adores her, Luna finally knows freedom, happiness, and unconditional love. And as long as Julie is by her side, she’ll never feel anything less than extraordinary.