Shelter cat slipped into ‘sadness that no animal should know.’ Then her luck changed
A “sweet” cat slipped “into a sadness that no animal should know” — then her luck took a turn for the better.
After struggling at a North Carolina animal shelter, Alice finally got a fresh start.
“We were all ecstatic that she found such a great home,” Kaitlyn Ewing, director of intake, rescue and foster coordination for the Humane Society of Catawba County, told McClatchy News in a Nov. 4 email. “It was sad seeing her so depressed in a shelter, and we were thankful when someone came to give her a chance.”
The heartwarming adoption came after Alice experienced a rough patch. Her owner died, and she was surrendered to a shelter that was impacted by catastrophic Hurricane Helene. When that shelter could no longer take care of her, she was transferred to the humane society, according to Ewing and past social media posts.
“Alice has known a lifetime of love and loyalty to her family,” the humane society wrote Oct. 29 on Facebook. “But with her family gone, she’s now finding herself in an unfamiliar place — alone in a shelter, overwhelmed and longing for comfort.”
Alice is described as a 12- to 13-year-old cat who’s “as gentle and loving as they come.” She had a tough time at the shelter as she waited for a quiet new home.
“Unfortunately, shelter life is proving too harsh for this senior girl,” the humane society wrote. “The noise and unfamiliarity have left her withdrawn, and she’s struggling to eat, slipping into a sadness that no animal should know.”
Then on Oct. 30, the shelter went on social media to share good news: Alice was adopted. Several Facebook users congratulated the cat as she kicked off her next chapter.
“Alice needed a second chance, and this amazing family stepped up with open hearts to welcome her home,” the shelter wrote. “Alice now has a place to feel safe and loved once again, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you to this wonderful family for giving this gentle soul the love and care she deserves.”
The humane society is in the Hickory area, a roughly 50-mile drive northwest from Charlotte.
This story was originally published November 6, 2024 at 9:27 AM with the headline "Shelter cat slipped into ‘sadness that no animal should know.’ Then her luck changed."
