Whenever people approach me at the shelter where I volunteer, asking which type of cat they should adopt, I always advocate for senior cats.
Often, I receive puzzled looks, followed by the inevitable question, “But, why a senior cat? Isn’t it much better to adopt a kitten and watch it grow up?”
My response is usually along these lines: “Sure! It’s better for YOU to adopt a kitten. But it’s far more noble to go home with an older fluff and fill its remaining days with love.”
Don’t get me wrong – every cat deserves a loving home. But if you’re looking to make a real difference and not just bring home a new pet, choosing a senior cat is the way to go.
Trust me, every senior cat I’ve met so far in the shelter has been an absolute sweetheart – and today’s purrtagonist is no exception!
Meet Jack, a beautiful senior cat from New York with a pretty inspiring story to tell the world!
Jack’s Story
Jack was 11 years old when he was brought to Meow Parlour, New York’s first cat café and a non-profit rescue group.
His previous owner sadly had to surrender him she was moving into a nursing home and could no longer care for him.
Jack weighed 20 pounds when he arrived at the shelter and was constantly drooling with his tongue hanging out.
As a geriatric cat, he had kidney disease, and high liver values, and even sported a bad haircut. But, despite these issues, the shelter staff quickly fell in love with him.
At Meow Parlour, Jack received a warm bath and was started on medication, which helped him feel better and more relaxed.
After stabilizing, Jack was taken in by a foster family. However, after less than a week, they noticed concerning signs about his health.
They became aware of his breathing difficulties, so they decided to take him to the hospital where Jack’s poor health was thoroughly examined.
Jack was initially taken to the ER and quickly transferred to a veterinary cardiologist after an X-ray showed he had an enlarged heart.
He remained in the hospital under oxygen therapy as a team of veterinary specialists conducted multiple tests to diagnose his condition.
Throughout his stay Jack was the best patient, proving once again how truly sweet he was.
After 48 hours, Jack was released from the hospital when the staff determined he no longer required oxygen support.
But Jack’s health concerns were far from over. He continued to struggle with breathing, lacked any appetite, and suffered from ulcers in his nose and mouth.
Unfortunately, he developed a severe upper respiratory infection, which caused significant nasal discharge and disrupted his sleep.
Thankfully, the Meow Parlour team didn’t give up on this incredible cat! They continued administering his many medications, kept up with his nebulizer treatments, and cleaned his nose every hour.
They even set up a camera in front of his shelter enclosure so Christina, the shelter’s co-founder, could monitor him throughout the night.
Christina, who at the time was out of the country, couldn’t wait to come home and meet Jack. Talking about her anticipation, Christina said:
“Every time I would check out on him, I hoped he would hold out long enough for me to be able to meet him. And that’s what he did!”
Just two hours after her plane landed, Christina was on her way to meet Jack.
By then, the Meow Parlour team had managed to stabilize his condition, alleviating his breathing difficulties.
They conducted some follow-up tests and gave him an appetite stimulant, which encouraged him to start eating on his own.
After taking a few bites, Jack was ready to go to his new home – with Christina.
Christina made a cozy nest in her bathroom shower for Jack to rest and recuperate. She gave him all the space he needed to relax, careful not to stress him, especially given his heart condition.
However, after less than five days, Jack was already out of the bathroom, clearly indicating he had no plans to return to his retreat.
This development sparked hope in everyone’s hearts that Jack might soon fully recover.
Jack adored Christina’s home and family and didn’t seem to mind her other cats, who took turns staring and hissing at him.