In this day and age, computers and social media seem to reign supreme. Our society’s obsession with technology is controversial— but when it comes to pairing animals with loving homes, there’s no denying that it can create miracles.
Meet Thomas! A gentle, 26-year-old cat that was brought to the shelter when his owner fell ill. The senior kitty had many health problems and it was obvious that shelter life had been doing him no favors.
After a month of being under the care of Animal Allies Rescue Foundation, Baltimore County Animal Services put out a plea on social media, asking animal lovers if they’d be willing to give him a home. That’s when a miracle occurred.
Twenty-seven-year-old Laura Cassiday, an experienced fosterer, was browsing animal rescue pages when Thomas’s posting caught her eye. She was surprised by the senior kitty’s age— being only one year younger than herself— but she knew she had to help him.
In an e-mail to our staff, Laura explained, “I have been fostering for about two years. I’ve always loved animals and knew animal welfare was my calling.”
“I impulse bring a lot of cats in my house, actually. It’s nothing new for me! I just get a feeling about them.”
“I try to help cats in need whenever I can, and I had the capability to help him.”
When Laura got to the shelter, “everyone was so excited because [Thomas] had been there for a month,” she told The Baltimore Sun. The poor cat had a lot of health problems— and those combined with his age, had made workers worry he would never find the perfect home.
Thomas currently suffers from severe dental disease, arthritis, hyperthyroidism, and an abnormal liver— but Laura is dedicated to giving him the best life for as long as he’s here.
“We considered putting him up for adoption,” she told The Baltimore Sun. “At this point, he’s so old… There aren’t many people who would want him.”
“Right now, he’s taking medication for his hyperthyroidism and antibiotics for his teeth. Usually, with such severe dental disease, he’d need dental surgery— but we’re not willing to put him under anesthesia due to his age and the chance that he may not make it through.”
“Other than that, we’re making him comfortable and letting him live out his days.”
Laura’s vet has advised her to let the senior kitty eat and do, as much as he wants. “I’ve been pretty much letting him live like a king.”
“I mostly just want him to have a stable home; I don’t think he wants much else. He deserves to feel comfortable and safe.”
Thomas loooves to eat. “It’s the key to his heart,” Laura explains.
“He’s shy but when he comes around to you he will start purring pretty much instantly. He’s very sweet and quiet.”
“He’s just a gentle soul.”
Laura says, “By fostering an animal, you actually save two lives: the life of the animal and the life of one more that you open up the cage at the shelter for.”
Thanks to Laura’s love and dedication, Thomas will be able to live out his days loved and in peace— and in the case of an elderly animal, it’s truly the best gift you can give.
If you’d like to contribute towards Thomas’s care, you can make a donation on the official AARF donation page. For more updates on Laura and Thomas’s journey, be sure to follow their Facebook page, The Adventures of Thomas the 26-year-old Cat.
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