Cats often get the reputation of being less expressive than dogs, but sometimes, a special cat comes along that completely shatters that stereotype. This is exactly what happened with a five-year-old rescue cat named Fishtopher, who wore his emotions clearly on his face.
Fishtopher was found as a stray in New Jersey and eventually made his way to the Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center. Though the staff took great care of him, it was evident that Fishtopher wasn’t content with shelter life. His unhappiness was written all over his face, and his demeanor reflected his longing for a forever home.
To help Fishtopher find a loving family, the adoption center created a profile for him on Petfinder, a website dedicated to helping animals find homes. Petfinder allows people searching for pets to browse through animals that match their preferences. The platform also offers a variety of helpful resources, from pet-care articles to discussion forums, making it an excellent tool for prospective pet owners.
In his profile, Fishtopher was described as “very sad and depressed” and someone who “only eats when he has company.” Despite this, the staff highlighted that he was a “sweet, easy-going, and laid-back boy” who would thrive in a quiet, peaceful home. His photos, however, were the most striking part of his profile. The pictures showed a cat with a visibly downcast expression, his sadness practically jumping off the screen.
It didn’t take long after his profile went live for Fishtopher to gain attention. Molly Clarke, a Twitter user, shared a screenshot of Fishtopher’s profile, including his heart-wrenching photo, and the tweet quickly went viral. His sorrowful face tugged at the heartstrings of thousands online, and soon enough, Homeward Bound was flooded with requests from people hoping to adopt him. Some even showed up in person, lining up outside the shelter to meet him.
Among those who saw the viral tweet were Laura Folts and Tanner Callahan. Touched by Fishtopher’s story and his sad little face, they decided he was the perfect fit for their family. Without hesitation, they made the two-hour journey to the shelter, eager to bring him home. It wasn’t long before Fishtopher was theirs.
As soon as they adopted him, Fishtopher began to show signs of happiness. During the ride home, his once drooping ears perked up, and his previously dull eyes started to sparkle with life. He welcomed the affection from his new owners, a noticeable shift from the sad and withdrawn cat he had once been. “He’s mostly just happy to get some treats,” Folts shared in an online post.
Today, Fishtopher is a completely transformed cat. He even has his own Instagram account, where his followers can see him enjoying his new life. Photos show him playing with toys, relaxing on the couch, and devouring his favorite puree treats. It’s clear that Fishtopher has found the happiness he was missing for so long.
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!
Fishtopher’s story is a reminder that there are countless other animals in shelters waiting for their own chance at happiness. If you’re thinking of adding a furry friend to your family, consider adopting instead of buying. There are many wonderful pets like Fishtopher just waiting for a home filled with love.
Petfinder is a fantastic resource for finding your new family member, and who knows? You might just find a companion as special as Fishtopher, ready to share love and joy in your home.