Person rescues a 19-year-old tuxedo cat with barely any teeth and dementia, who was dumped by his previous owners, and gives him a second chance at life: 'Adopting a senior cat was the best decision I’ve ever made'

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Dec 13, 2025 9:00 AM EST

Did you know that senior cats are some of the least adopted cats in shelters? Not surprising, right? Maybe not, but it's quite sad to think about. We understand why so many people love adopting kittens as much as they do, we really do. But senior cats make such amazing pets as well, and we don't think that people understand that, not really. In shelters, any cat above the age of one, is often considered "old" for adopting, and the drop-off in adoption for cats above the age of seven - senior cats - is even worse than that.

Of course, it doesn't matter how many times we tell people that they should adopt senior cats, that senior cats have a different appreciation for the comforts of indoor life, that senior cats often get cuddlier with age… at the end of the day, the thing that people will respond to are not words, it's stories like this one. This person didn't simply adopt a senior cat, they adopted a very, very old cat - a 19-year-old cat. And although they don't know how much time they are going to have with this cutie, they sure are thankful for every second of it. 

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    "Adopting a senior cat was the best decision I’ve ever made"

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    Two months ago, I went to the shelter just to spend time with the animals. This was a regular thing I did at the time to help my mental health. They brought in a new cat. A 19 year old tuxedo with barely any teeth, kidney disease and dementia.
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    He was meowing up a storm. I asked to visit with him and fell in love. He was surprisingly active! Meowing up a storm, sounding like he smoked a pack a day for those 19 years of life. Jumping on the visitor furniture and rubbing up on me. I asked what his story was.
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    They told me he was adopted 2 years ago and dumped a few months prior to me visiting. I got surprisingly emotional about that and said I'd come back for him the next day. I don't think they believed me lol. But I did! I gave him his own space to adjust, but he got tired of it and started coming to sleep next to me in my bed.
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    I'm still so surprised by him every day. He's incredibly well behaved and vocal about everything. He comes to sleep next to me every night, and recently he's been improving so much! He's developed a good appetite, gained weight and started playing again!
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    The shelter said he hadn't shown any interest in toys during his time there. There are days where he forgets about things and needs some extra support, but he's never been aggressive. He tells me when something is wrong, even the smallest things. He really doesn't act his age, it's baffling. He's so funny, he cracks me up all the time.
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    I'm unsure how long I'll have with this little guy, but I'm grateful for every moment. He's made my life a lot happier, and I feel fulfilled by his presence. At the end of the day, no matter how difficult, I know he'll be waiting for me at home.
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  • We wish - so, so much - that more people would hear what you are saying. We wish more people understand that even old cats like that - especially them - deserve a warm home to live out their retirement. Senior cats make amazing pets. This story is simply another piece of proof for something that we already knew. 

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    MissingUAwesome What's his name? He's so precious and so happy to have a loving forever home
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    OP Forward_Warning_1612 His name is Cupid
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    OP Forward_Warning_1612 Thank you so much for the sweet words, everyone! If you've been thinking of adopting, please consider taking an elderly animal home with you! They deserve as much love, kindness and adoration as all the others shelter pets I guarantee a senior pet will warm your heart and home, and they will give you the most unconditional love and silent support!
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    Silver Surfer_60 Are you sharing this of your own volition or have you been commanded to do so? If you can't answer this question directly, blink twice to let us know you're no longer in charge.
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    OP Forward_Warning_1612 He only ever commands me to feed him Otherwise, he thinks I'm his baby (it's pretty much true, he's almost 2 years older than me)
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    eating_icecream Okay wild coincidence but I took that picture of Cupid! I volunteer at our local animal shelter! I remember him being such a sweetie and I'm so glad he has a loving home! Love the serendipity of coming across your post. Give him some extra pets from me.
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    OP Forward_Warning_1612 No way!! That's so awesome! That picture was the nail in the coffin for me, I love his bald spot
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  • We know that people always talk about how it's more difficult to get an older cat to get used to being inside, but that's an older cat, not an old cat. Older cats, in the prime of their lives, that's true about. But old cats, cats who have lived out in the wild, or who have been jumping from home to home, they know how to appreciate the comfort of a warm home in their old age. They really do. 

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    Internal-Ad61 Are they 100% sure he's 19? He looks so young in the eyes!! This is such a great story. I hope you get many years with him. It's so sweet to me that he's sleeping with you already HHHH
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    OP Forward_Warning_1612 Yes! I was surprised to find that his documents dated back to 2006!
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    Selvetrica What's the care level of a cat with dementia look like, are you having clean up messes because they forget where the litterbox is ?
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    OP Forward_Warning_1612 He meows whenever he's confused, and usually wanders into the hallway when he needs to potty. So I help guide him to it, because I don't want him to be even more confused or stressed by me picking him up if he's already having a hard time with his memory that day. Some days are harder than others for him, so his support levels fluctuate. Sometimes he goes and pees on the couch, but I've accepted it and put potty pads on top of a waterproof cover
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    trish_van_haven You are so beautiful. You have a beautiful heart. Also, Mr. Tuxedo is extremely handsome!
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    ShortTop1487 Bless you for giving the final chapter in his long life, love and meaning
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aww wholesome cat adorable adoption heartwarming cute adopted story Cats rescue
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