Internet works magic for only cats with no interest in adoption event

All hope was lost when a cat did not receive a single application during an adoption event at a cat-themed gift shop in San Diego. That is until the powers of social media worked their magic.

Smittens Rescue, a nonprofit cat rescue organization, held an adoption event in Purgatory on April 13. All day long, 3-year-old Monte waited, hoping to be adopted. The TikTok video of the rescue, shared on the account @smittens_rescue, showed Monte screaming for someone, anyone, to give him a home.

But as seen in the TikTok clip, people ignored the tuxedo cat. The cat meowed at a person walking by on the sidewalk. This was his begging call for a house. The person didn’t even look in Monte’s direction.

Fortunately, the video touched the hearts of those watching online. This prompted Monte’s adopter to find him and apply to bring him home forever.

Viewers supported Monte, commenting and sharing the clip to connect him with a future family. The power of social media stepped in and the tuxedo was adopted on April 15, just one day after the TikTok clip was posted.

“Algorithm, please take me to his new owner’s page. Monte deserves a good home,” said one viewer.

Another asked: “No, how can anyone ignore this baby!! He is literally crying out to be adopted!”

A third person said: “He is so well behaved and he knows how to walk on a leash. I have been trying to teach my cats to walk on a leash for years but they don’t like it.”

Although Monte has his happy ending, Smittens told Rescue Newsweek via TikTok that unfortunately there are many more cats waiting for a forever home, just like the hero from our story. Not every cat gets featured or goes viral on social media. And even if you don’t see a cat or dog in need of a home in your food, that doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 6.3 million pets enter U.S. shelters every year, an average of 17,260 per day. The number of dogs and cats taken in by animal shelters reached 46,807 in January 2023, an increase of 1,744 compared to January 2022, according to the 24Pet “Shelter Watch Report.”

Approximately 920,000 surrendered animals are euthanized every year. Shelters strive to minimize the number of euthanasia cases by promoting adoption campaigns, spay and neuter programs, and behavioral rehabilitation.

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