Cute rescue cat goes viral when PetSmart writes a wholesome letter describing his tragic abandonment story, flooding their inbox with adoption applications: 'Jerry had a home and a brother, then one day he didn't'

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Mar 6, 2026 1:00 PM EST

All it would take is for one kind soul to give Jerry a chance.

Imagine living your life, all happy and normal, and then boom, everything changes. You lose your hoomans, your family, and every sense of security you thought you had. Your whole life falls through the floor, and you have no power to do anything about it.

That's what happened to Jerry. At 5 years old, he was left at a PetSmart goomer, and his family never returned for him. To make matters even worse, his family abandoned his brother in a completely different location, separating the one thing he might have pawssibly been able to hold on to from his old life. After that, everything changed.

PetSmart took him in, but it's hard to convince people to adopt a 5-year-old cat. Most people come looking to adopt kittens, and that's totally understandable. Kittens are adorable, but that makes cats like Jerry feel invisible. He stayed, and stayed, and stayed at PetSmart, until the employees decided he just needed a little bit of help for people to see how sweet he really is. They wrote a letter describing his tragic abandonment story, and it went viral online. After that, their inbox was flooded with adoption applications for Jerry. 

We don't know where Jerry ended up, but we're pretty sure he's back to living the good life as the center of a new family's life. And that's exactly what he deserves. 

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

Advertisement
  • 01
    Mo This is Jerry. Jerry had a home and a brother, then one day he didn't. He was abandoned at PetSmart Glendore grooming and his brother was left at PetSmart Eastland grooming for reasons unknown. But his brother was adopted mmediately and so we brought Jerry to our Rescue to find him a permanent furever home. Jerry is a sweet boy who is starting to adjust to his new lite in a foster home. He is still somewhat confused and suspicious about his new surroundings but is beginning to feel safe and c
    via Kittiekatjacque

    "This is Jerry. He's located in Glendora, CA"

  • 02
    This is Jerry. Jerry had a home and a brother, then one day he didn't. He was abandoned at PetSmart Glendora grooming and his brother was left at PetSmart Eastland grooming for reasons unknown. But his brother was adopted immediately and so we brought Jerry to our Rescue to find him a permanent furever home. Jerry is a sweet boy who is starting to adjust to his new lite in a foster home. He is still somewhat confused and suspicious about his new surroundings but is beginning to feel safe and con
    via Kittiekatjacque
  • 03
    Kittiekatjacque Original Poster's Reply If anyone decides to adopt this beautiful boy and you're from Reddit. Please please post a picture I forgot to put it in the original post. It's PetSmart in Glendora CA
    via Kittiekatjacque

  • Jerry looks like a stand-up guy! We're absolutely pawsitive he's going to make a great addition to someone's home. He looks like he will be good with kids, so we hope a family with kids adopts him.

  • 04

    Henry Scott

    Istroup
    via Istroup

    "I got my boy Henry Scott when he was going through a similar situation. Had just been separated from his bonded brother. Ended up getting him a sister and they're both perfect."

  • 05

    “Here is my Jerry who I also rescued after he was abandoned :)”

    PM_ME_UR_LAMEPUNS
    via PM_ME_UR_LAMEPUNS
  • 06
    Minimum_Swan_4703 He looks like my Kiwi! I hope that he finds a forever home, soon
    via Minimum_Swan_4703
  • 07
    Catty WompusMeowtLady Jerry looks like my Max
    via CattyWompusMeowtLady
  • 08
    Kittiekatjacque Original Poster's Reply I'm not to sure! I believe they would if you asked.
    via Kittiekatjacque
  • 09
    farst4life Is this Pet Smart by the Best Buy?
    via farst4life
  • 10
    onionsandturbulence How old is he?
    via onionsandturbulence

  • According to the poster, Jerry is only five years old. And to be honest, five years old isn't that old! He's not even a senior yet, he's got plenty of years left to make a new family very happy for a long time. 

  • 11
    lostpurpose_7133 To separate him from his brother was just cruel. Why not leave them both at the same place?
    via lostpurpose_7133
  • 12
    TheRealMasterTyvokka Poor Jerry. How could someone abandon such a sweet cat. May that person forever stub their little toe on every coffee table they encounter.
    via TheRealMasterTyvokka
  • 13
    erand424 I live too far but I wanted to comment to say that my family got an old cat from PetSmart after he'd been there for a while, he was 14 and he lived with us happily for two more years before he passed. He was my best friend during that time. His name was Jerry and he looked just like this guy.
    via erand424
  • 14
    541e36 omg jerry has the sweetest face ever, those eyes are literally melting my heart.
    via 541e36
  • 15
    AdOutrageous7474 Male SIC tabby cats are the absolute best. I hope someone adopts Jerry ASAP.
    via AdOutrageous7474
  • 16
    auxassassin From my experience briefly working as an associate at PetSmart, I saw volunteers come twice daily for feeding, cleaning, interaction, and would let them wander the small backroom behind. I also usually made an effort to spend some time with them (love cats but currently can't care for one)
    via auxassassin
  • 17
    DrCatnnibal I hope the person is forever haunted by the cries that Jerry has in his soul.
    via DrCatnnibal
  • 18
    icspn Poor Jerry, I really wish they'd kept him and his brother together. I'm sure they were just doing what they thought was best to get both cats. adopted asap, but I'm still sad for them both :(
    via icspn
  • 19
    UberKaltPizza I love his name. What a sweet boy. He would be a sweet boy even if he wasn't. He deserves a home. Fingers crossed!
    via UberKaltPizza
  • 20
    feliscatus_lover I love you Jerry. I hope you find the best furrever home and get all the love that you deserve soon!! Allaaa
    via feliscatus_lover

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

wholesome adoption petsmart rescue cats tragic cute cats cat rescue viral Cats animals
Scroll Down For The Next Article