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The adoption of the oldest cat at a North Carolina animal shelter has been described as a “heaven made match” after being taken in by a 101-year-old woman.
Gus, age 19, was transferred to the Humane Society of Catawba County (HSCC) in North Carolina in mid-September after his previous owner was unable to keep him due to unforeseen work commitments. “Its owner was heartbroken,” Jane Bower, executive director of the Humane Society of Catawba County, told Newsweek.
HSCC is a non-profit organization that aims to combat overpopulation, cruelty and inhuman treatment of animals in the area and to ensure that “no adoptable animal is euthanized”.
The organization includes the Pat Anderson Center for Animal Adoption and Humane Education, a state-of-the-art, no-killing animal shelter and an inexpensive neutering / neutering clinic and education center
“We took Gus in and did a health check and found that Gus was 19 years old, in exceptional health,” she added.
“Of course we’d take good care of Gus, but living in a shelter isn’t ideal, especially at his age.”
Gus the cat.
The Humane Society of Catawba County
Fortunately for Gus, it was around the same time that the 101-year-old Penny’s family were looking for an older kitten and they came to the center to find one.
“The family of the adoptive parents contacted us and asked them to adopt an older cat for their mother,” Bower said. “She had recently lost her cat and although she had given her a stuffed cat, she wasn’t happy because she wasn’t purring.”
“We were cautious about the age of everyone involved, but the family said they were willing to take care of the cat on her mother’s behalf.”
All concerns have since been allayed, as Bower described the adoption as a “heaven-made match,” with Gus settling in his new home with Penny. “[He has] made it feel like home and ate like a horse, “she said.
Penny and Gus after his adoption.
The Humane Society of Catawba County
The shelter shared the good news on September 30th in a Facebook post saying, “Ours [hearts] are full of this beautiful assumption. Our 19-year-old (133 in human years) great-grandfather has found the loving arms of his new mom, who is at the ripe young age of 101. Congratulations Gus-Gus. I wish you the best days before you to watch squirrels and share your love and purr. “
The story of Gus and Penny is a story of hope for the center, which unlike other places, despite its old age, refused to give up on the cat.
“As an animal shelter in the southern United States, we are always full of companion animals. Gus’ age was exceptional, but we see older pets on a regular basis. We are still committed to these animals and working to find a new home for them, regardless of their age, “said Bower.
Gus watches a squirrel in its new home.
The Humane Society of Catawba County
