'You will never be unwanted again': Animal shelter volunteer gets chosen by the "unwanted" cat who's never shown anyone affection before, adopts him and gives him the unconditional love he deserves

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Feb 10, 2026 10:00 AM EST

There is no such thing as an "unwanted cat". There are simply cats out there who have not found the right humans for themselves yet. 

It really is that simple. Classifying a cat as "unwanted" is ridiculous. We understand classifying a cat as one with behavioral issues or health issues - because it is something important for future adopters to know about, to prepare for. But to call a cat unwanted is simply silly. And wrong. We don't believe that such a thing exists. A cat that "no one wants" is a cat that who hasn't found the one who wants them yet. And that one exists. Because every cat has a furrever home waiting for them somewhere out there. 

The cat in this story thought that he had already found his forever home. But that forever home got destroyed in a hurricane. And the people in that forever home - the people who he thought were his - betrayed him and abandoned him. They told the shelter that they don't want him anymore. For what reason? Just because. They abandoned their cat for no reason at all. Of couse he grew scared of humans. Of course he lost trust in us. But then something happened. A shiny, golden light appeared around one human - a calling, a sign, his true forever person. He saw her and knew. 

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    "An old man’s tale"

    Name: Gideon Admitted: 04/14/2025 17:57:59 Approximate Date of Birth: 04/10/2017 Comments: Type: U (Unwanted Cat) /12/2017 Date 04/14/1
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    I volunteer at a local cat shelter. They have a room for senior cats (any cat over 6). One day I was volunteering, and a cat I had never seen came out while I was sitting on the floor. He crawled right into my lap.
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    When I told other staff, they thought I had the wrong cat in mind. They said that Gideon had never approached anyone before, let alone got into their lap.
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    Our records showed that he had been bounced around shelters in the south following the deadly hurricane Ida. After failed years in shelters, he was flown into our rescue. He went by unnoticed for 4 months before he came to me.
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    He was originally listed in shelter records as a cat who had been surrendered as unwanted just after the hurricane.
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  • The thought of someone, after a hurricane and all the stress that this kitty must have gone through, actually went ahead and abandoned him, just because they didn't want him anymore… it's absolutely heartbreaking. That would be the time that he needed you most - after everything in his world turned upside down. It's no wonder he's scared and skittish. The last memories he has are of chaos, destruction, and abandonment. Anyone in his position would be like that. Which is why the fact that she chose you like this - letting his guard down, making physical contact with you… It's what makes it all the more special. 

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    I took Gideon into my home. I renamed him Howard Gabapentin. He is turning 9 this year. For the first 2 months in my home, he hid. Scared to make sudden moves, scared of my husband and I. Just scared. Then, one day, I walked into his room and there he was, laying in the middle of the room.
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    I sat on the floor, and once again, he crawled into my lap. Ever since, Howie has been the cuddliest cat I've ever met. He's very talkative, his favorite thing is kisses, and he loves to watch movies with us.
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    Sometimes he gets scared again, and smacks us. No worries here, we know he's just trying to find his footing.
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  • It's your gentleness that he feels, we are sure of it. Your patience. The way that you know that even when he's like this, he's not trying to hurt you. He senses that. He knows that he will be forgiven, that he can be himself, that he will not be abandoned again over something so small and silly. This only shows how much he has opened up to you. And we can only wish that he will continue opening up like this to you in the future even more. Please keep us updated. Hearing about how happy he is in his new home was the highlight of our day. 

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    I am so lucky to have found him. He has been an incredible lesson in patience, and unconditional love. To my Howie, you will never be unwanted again.
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    cyankitten You are very much loved and wanted now, Gideon
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    Significant-Mud-7198 What a beautiful, loved, and wanted cat.
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    Ok-Conversation-7292 Please stop with the onions... Thank you for adopting this little guy!
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aww wholesome cat adorable adoption heartwarming cute adopted story Cats rescue
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