Hoonie has been through a lot in his life— but the one thing that has remained constant is the presence of his best friend: an old, grey-and-white, stuffed kitty cat.
Hoonie had lived a happy life with his owner, but sadly, his beloved human passed away.
When a cat owner passes away, a few different things can occur. Sometimes, the pet is named in the owner’s will, or registered with an animal charity who will be in charge of their future care. Other times, no arrangements have been made. The Telegraph UK explains, “Without a will or an agreement, it can put a lot of pressure on relatives who may not want the responsibility [of a pet], and household pets can often get given away or even put down. ” Hoonie was facing a similar situation.
At 16-years-old, adorable, little Hoonie found himself alone and without a home— but still, he had his stuffed toy for support. After Hoonie’s owner passed away, the owner’s daughter tried taking the senior cat in. Sadly, she and her son suffered from allergies, and Hoonie ultimately wasn’t able to stay. That’s when he was sent to the Alley Cat Rescue in Maryland.
For cats who come from a loving home, shelter life isn’ the most pleasant experience.
“Shelters can be an overwhelming place for cats,” Cat Pawsitive explains. “The sights, loud sounds, and strange smells can make even the most outgoing, active cat become nervous and shut down.”
“For cats who already tend to be shy, the stress of their shelter surroundings can make them hide under blankets and in the corners of cages to avoid contact with anyone who approaches.” Luckily, with Hoonie, that wasn’t the case.
By all accounts, Hoonie adjusted well to the shelter, but his biggest comfort has been his familiar, stuffed animal. The scent reminds him of home.
“We’ve never seen a cat that is so attached to a stuffed animal,” Brianna Grant, communications associate at Alley Cat Rescue, told the Dodo.
“It really seems to be his support system.”
With his stuffie’s help, Hoonie has been doing “really well”. He and the fake kitty spend every moment together, sleeping, cuddling, playing— and getting used to shelter life.
“It’s been a long-time companion. [The owner’s daughter] sent us photos of Hoonie roughhousing with the stuffed animal, so I think Hoonie has a lot of fun with the stuffed animals and seems really attached to it.”
“He’s been in the cage just cuddling next to it, and it seems to really help him out.”
Staff is happy Hoonie and the stuffie have been adjusting to their new life— but, it goes without saying, their main motivation is to find the sweet senior a home. Despite his love for the stuffed kitty, they say Hoonie craves human attention, as well.
“He’s a huge talker,” Grant said.
“It’s very sweet. When he’s lonely, he’ll let you know. You’ll hear him from a room away.”
“But once you go and hang out with him, he just gets silent and hangs out next to you, and he seems so content just to have people by his side.”
When The Dodo covered Hoonie’s story, staff were worried the kitty’s old age may impede him from finding a home. “He is a senior cat in the last stages of life, so I think people have a hard time dealing with the idea of adopting a cat, and making a connection, just for the cat to pass away, ” Brianna said.
“I’m sure that whoever gets him and adopts him will have a few great years with him. He’s such a sweetheart.”
Luckily, Hoonie’s age didn’t stop the kitty from finding a loving family, and a quick search on PetFinder reveals he has been adopted into a wonderful home— with his favorite buddy.
Brianna said the staff couldn’t separate Hoonie and his stuffie.
“They’re a package— two for one.”
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