Senior Shelter Cat Finds Forever Home After Five Years of Waiting

After five long years in a shelter and even experiencing the heartache of being returned by previous adopters, a 17-year-old cat has finally found her happy ending.

Grace Antonczak, accompanied by her fiancé, came across the senior resident while visiting the Toledo Humane Society in Ohio in April 2024. Antonczak was initially just looking around and felt an immediate connection when he saw the cat “huddled in a corner.” saw. Despite years of waiting, Antonczak was determined to give the cat the loving home she deserved for her remaining years. On April 6, the oldest cat left the shelter to start a new chapter in her life.

@antongra5

Name ideas?? So excited to bring her into the family. 🫶🏼

♬ original sound – 🎧🏴ԠԠԠԠԠԠ

Reflecting on the decision to adopt, Antonczak said, “My first thought was that her situation was very sad, and I wanted to take her home.” Despite the cat’s initial wariness, Antonczak found her to be friendly and sweet, although not a typical cuddler. The cat, affectionately called Gramma Kitty, had faced disappointment before. She was adopted three months earlier, but due to financial constraints she was returned. However, this setback was not the end of her journey to find a forever family.

Antonczak’s TikTok video introducing Gramma Kitty to her new home quickly went viral, gaining millions of views and an outpouring of support. Antonczak hopes the attention will inspire others to consider giving older pets a second chance in a loving home.

We encourage anyone thinking of purchasing a pet to adopt rather than shop. Read more resources about pet adoption on One Green Planet, including 7 reasons to adopt your next furry best friend, 5 reasons everyone should adopt a pet, and these heartwarming before and after photos of adopted rescue animals that will make your day ! Read pet adoption tips and what to consider before adopting an animal. We recommend using these apps to find shelter dogs near you!

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