We often feel like our pets choose us, particularly when they come from the streets or shelters.
These animals once roamed around searching for a permanent home. Some wandered the streets, while others waited in shelters for someone to notice them.
Despite the many possible outcomes, it often seems like the ideal pet finds us, choosing us before we even realize it.
In 2018, Tombi the Cat chose a third-grade classroom in Izmir, Turkey, as his forever home. Unlike most strays, Tombi wasn’t afraid of people. In fact, he was quite the opposite—friendly and affectionate, soaking up all the attention he could get.
Initially, he lingered in the school’s garden, a prime spot for receiving pets from teachers and students. But one day, Tombi ventured further and entered a third-grade classroom, and that changed everything.
Teacher Özlem Pınar Ivaşcu shared with The Dodo that the moment Tombi walked into the classroom, the students adored him. His visits became a regular occurrence, and he had the kind of perfect attendance every teacher dreams of for their students. Surprisingly, having a cat in the classroom wasn’t a distraction;
Tombi’s presence actually made the students more eager to arrive early and more attentive during lessons. They were quieter and better behaved, as Tombi’s engagement with them kept them focused.
However, not everyone was thrilled about a cat in the classroom. One parent complained to the school administration about the stray cat in her child’s class. As a result, Tombi was sent to a foster home, but he was unhappy there. Ms. Ivaşcu even took Tombi to her home, but his sadness persisted, and he wouldn’t eat properly. Despite receiving cards from the class to cheer him up, it was clear that Tombi belonged in the classroom.
Determined to bring Tombi back, Ms. Ivaşcu took to social media, seeking support for the beloved cat. Her online plea garnered significant attention from local media, her manager, and the school’s director. Even the parent who initially complained had a change of heart.
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!
With the support of the school officials, Tombi was allowed to return to the classroom, much to the delight of Ms. Ivaşcu and her students. The students were once again focused on their studies, and Tombi returned to full health, spreading joy among his classmates.
Inspired by this heartwarming experience, Ms. Ivaşcu wrote a storybook about Tombi’s adventures with her students, ensuring their time together would be remembered. Proceeds from the book’s sales were donated to help care for stray animals in their area, providing them with food and basic medical needs.