Heartwarming Stories Of People Finally Adopting Senior Cats Who Have Been Living In Shelters For A Long Time

Everyone loves a kitten, right? They're tiny, they're energetic, they're adorable, and you can hold them in the palm of your hand. And you know what? They also get adopted pretty heckin' quickly in shelters. People go in with the intention of adopting a kitten, but that, unfortunately, means that a lot of the older cats stay in the shelters, waiting for their furrever homes, for the longest time. People adopting senior cats is a rare enough thing, so whenever we see it, we have to celebrate it. 

There is nothing more wholesome than a senior cat finding its forever home - finding the place where it will get to live the rest of its days, however long that may be, in peace and happiness. Stories of senior cats getting adopted always make us smile, and we know that all of you guys are the same, so please enjoy this brand new collection of heartwarming stories. 

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky Mariel Ruvinsky
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  • 01
    Font - ZEST Zest stands with @Ms_Zestgirl Replying to @_B_ S and @jo41075548 I adopted a 12 year cat from a shelter as they'd accepted nobody would take him, so marked him for death rather than treat him. He got another 9 years with me & slept on goose down & ate prawns, barramundi, roast chicken..whatever the heck he wanted. Love & kindness matter. 12:56 PM. Mar 26, 2023 - 31.1K Views
    via @Ms_Zestgirl

    One of the reasons that people don't adopt senior cats as often as kittens is that they worry those cats won't live as long as the kittens - that they would lose them sooner. But that's not always true. The time that cats spend with us varies so vastly - some cats live 9 years, some live 24. 

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  • 02
    Cat - Peter @cellobuddy Replying to @_B____S This is Claude. He was 12-13 when we adopted him. He chose us at the shelter when he showed us so much attention and love right from the start. The volunteer at the shelter started crying because she said nobody adopts senior cats there, especially black cats! He's about 17 now. 2:27 AM • Mar 26, 2023 80K Views
    via @cellobuddy

    Adopting a senior cat, even if you only get to spend a year or two with them, is one of the most rewarding things you can possibly do. Giving this animal a loving place to live out the rest of its life in peace… that's amazing and totally praise-worthy. We wish reading these stories would encourage more people to do it. 

  • 03
    Cat - Jon @jonathane113 ... Replying to @_B__ _S Adopted my cat Greg when he was 14! Lasted 2 years before his kidneys gave out.
    via @jonathane113
  • 04
    Cat - dlouwilly @dlouwilly Replying to @ BS This is my Olive. She was one of the outdoor strays that we fed for several years. About 2 years ago, we brought her in and made her an inside cat so that she didn't spend her last years outdoors. We are unsure of her exact age, but thinking she is at least 14-15 years. ...
    via @dlouwilly
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  • 05
    Comfort - Kpants @karlapants Replying to @_B_S This is Tootie she will be 18 April 1st everyone say Happy Birthday
    via @karlapants
  • 06
    Cat - K, 100% a Gloomy @Ignisentis Replying to @ BS We got our Meatball from a rescue thinking he was 2 or 3. Turns out he was 13 and in renal failure. He had no teeth, half a tail, a wonky eye, and came from a hoarding situation. He lasted a year before his kidneys gave out, but what a wonderful year it was.
    via @Ignisentis
  • 07
    Cat - Shawn Cusack @Cubsfan_97 Replying to @_B_S My Minky! Through a bitter divorce, he was going to be thrown out onto the streets at 16 years of age. I took him in before that could happen and he gave me 7 more years of life. All the other cats I've had have been between ages of 7-10. Adult cats need homes too! 3:04 AM - Mar 26, 2023-36.6K Views NAVY PIER
    via @Cubsfan_97
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  • 08
    Cat - Helleonos @HeleneMLeonard1 Replying to @_B_S I adopted Cleo after my mom passed away, she was the senior cat at the shelter and the sweetest little old lady. She was 14 when I took her home, she is 17 now. C ... -8
    via @HeleneMLeonard1
  • 09
    Cat - Debra @DebOnTheWeb58 Replying to @_B___S I adopted this little guy 10 years ago. Today is his 20th birthday.
    via @DebOnTheWeb58
  • 10
    Cat - Jerry #2 @radicalrebeck Replying to @_B___S My boy isn't as old, but is still a senior (he's 11.) He was in the shelter for almost two years before I adopted him. He'll never be alone again. Tasthes : ...
    via @radicalrebeck
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  • 11
    Cat - Jen Oliver @JennyOJennyO ... Replying to @_B_S This is Penny. I adopted her from @SaveASeniorPet when she was about 10. She hasn't stopped thanking me since.
    via @JennyOJennyO
  • 12
    Cat - paul butler @Pauld6Paul Replying to @_B_S Took this one in she 15 ...
    via @Pauld6Paul
  • 13
    Cat - gphilly @gphilly Replying to @_B____S Adopted this little lady when she was 10, and she's turning 21 this year 09 FREE DOW gmo.
    via @gphilly
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  • 14
    Font - Donald Sprunk @DonaldSprunk Replying to @_B___S We did this with our kitteh. 12 years old and thyroid issues, nobody would take her from the shelter, grumpy lil furball but still worth it. She's gone now but she went out knowing she was looked after, all you can do 9:53 PM Mar 25, 2023 10.4K Views ...
    via @DonaldSprunk
  • 15
    Photograph - allegro Allegro Optical @AllegroOptical Replying to @_B__S We rescued our Felix when he was 17, he lasted another 9 months and lived like a king.
    via @AllegroOptical

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