Rescue cat 'Fishtopher' undergoes ameowzing transformation from “saddest cat” in the shelter to purrfectly happy after getting adopted: ‘To be loved is to be changed’

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Aug 4, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

The only thing that brings us more joy than before and after adoption pictures is opening a new tub of cookie-dough ice cream. And since we're trying to cut back on sweets, we've been purrfectly enjoying a lot more pics of cute kitties thriving in their new furrever homes. They're just as sweet, but with none of the empty calories! In today's terrific tale of awwdoption success, we have a cat that went viral for having the saddest expression in the shelter. His name is Fishtopher, and after getting adopted, he almost looks unrecognizable. 

Fishtopher had a purrmenant sad face while staying at the shelter. So much so that the shelter posted about him on his adoption page and it went viral on Twitter, now known as 'X', which resulted in him getting hundreds of adoption requests. This sweet boy was then adopted and now lives with his new feline family and hooman servants. But now, instead of a frown, he wakes up every day with a smile on his purrecious face.

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    delightful_animals @delightful_animals Fishtopher, a 5-year-old tabby with an adorably "sad" expression, went viral while waiting at the Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in Blackwood, New Jersey.
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    His Petfinder bio, which said he "will only eat when he has company," drew hundreds of adoption inquiries. Ultimately, Laura Folts and Tanner Callahan from Baltimore drove about 100 miles and adopted him after joining a line of hopefuls, and Fishtopher is now happily settled and thriving in his new home.
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  • Oh, this poor, sweet baby. How could you pawssibly say no to that face ever? We are 100% ready to make it our life's mission to make sure Fishtopher smiles every day, until his last day. It's the very least we can do for him after life dealt him such a horrible hand in the first place. Another Churu, coming right up!

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  • Not only is he happy, but he's also getting a little sassy! That look says, “Don't mess with me right now, hooman, I'm posing and don't want you to mess up my fur. I just finished grooming!” Okay, Fishtopher, whatever you say, goes. Shall we bring you a fresh can of tuna, sir?

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    a_nissssa956 Love transforms.
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transformation adoption animal rescue adopted feline cat rescue glow up forever home Cats loving animals rescue
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