Why I Chose a Senior Cat: Sully’s Story
This story was not facilitated through Purrfect Seniors - It was generously shared with us by a member of our community to help inspire others to consider adopting senior cats. Even though this isn’t one of our own adoption stories, it beautifully captures the love, patience, and reward that come with adopting an older cat. We’re honoured to share Sully’s mom’s experience with her senior boy, in her own words.
“I was heartbroken when I lost the last of my three cats in the spring of 2022 to cancer. I didn't think I would ever get over them. For months, I mourne,d but in December 2022, I told myself that I would go to the shelter to "just look".
When I arrived (on December 23, 2022), I was inundated by kittens! They were everywhere! However, since retiring, I was pretty sure that a kitten would be too much for me.
I asked to see the other, older cats. The first one I met was a sweet ginger tabby named Cheeto - but he had heart issues. I asked to see some others. That is when I saw Sully. He was feral, having probably lived outside his entire life. They estimated his age to be about 7.
He seemed thin and frightened and sad, but when I let him sniff my hand, he licked e. I was LOST and knew immediately that I had to take this feral boy home. He had been there so long and had been passed over many times.
I had prepared a base camp in a bedroom before leaving for the shelter ("just in case"), and as soon as I let him out of the carrier, he darted under the bed. I had resolved to stay with him until he felt safe indoors.
For the first week, he just stared out from the gloom, saying nothing and not moving. At mealtimes, he would wait until I had stepped out, and then he would emerge, gobble his food and slink back under the bed.
There was no hissing, no aggression. Sully was just taking his time. I went weeks on the floor beside the bed, talking to him and occasionally serenading him with silly off-key songs. But Sully was still thinking about it. I knew it might take a while.
One night in the new year, I had just gone to bed in "Sully's room". He was still under the bed, but I kept talking to him. As I was drifting off, I felt him jump onto the bed. He sniffed, followed my voice - and snuggled beside me purring softly. Once he had decided he trusted me, he opened his heart.
He didn't meow - he hummed. He groomed me as if I were a member of his colony (he still does this). He had so much to say! He scolded me if dinner was late with hums of irritation that never failed to crack me up.
After he was wormed and vetted and brushed for ages, he looked so different. With excellent food, his gorgeous grey fur became velvety and because he enjoyed it, he was brushed a LOT.
In the nearly 3 years since bringing him home, he has become one of the most precious companions in a life of exceptional cats. He is healthy, he is happy and we are very well suited, both of us enjoying our retirement.
A senior cat proved to be an inspired choice. Despite his feral background, he is very gentle. He is never aggressive or destructive and is a very tidy old man. He's far from feral now and flirts outrageously with my mother, my son, my neighbour, the vet - he is so friendly that nobody believes he was a street cat.
As you can see, I adore him. I think it is mutual. He is nearly 10 now and the best companion I could ever hope for.
Would I adopt a senior cat again? ABSOLUTELY! This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”
While this adoption story did not come through Purrfect Seniors, it’s stories like this that inspire our mission. Whether you adopt, donate, or share, you’re helping older cats get the love they deserve.
