Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Senior Shelter Cat Defies Odds, Finds Home, And Discovers A Lifetime Of Love
User submission
400
20.1K

Senior Shelter Cat Defies Odds, Finds Home, And Discovers A Lifetime Of Love

Interview With Owner
ADVERTISEMENT

In the quiet corners of a shelter, Polly, a 15-year-old cat with a heart as big as her distinctive meow, waited patiently for a second chance. Deaf, very matted, and suffering from an autoimmune condition, Polly’s prospects for adoption were dim. Until Sarah came along.

Sarah saw beyond Polly’s age and challenges. She took Polly home, giving her a chance for a happy life in her golden years. What unfolded was beyond anyone’s expectations.

More info: Instagram

RELATED:

    Meet Polly, an elderly cat who, against all odds, got lucky and found a new home

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    Despite Sarah not having high expectations due to Polly’s age and overall condition, the lovely cat captured her heart

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    Sarah told Bored Panda that she was looking for a super senior cat to add to her family. “I had a quiet, cozy apartment at the time and I could imagine an older cat retiring there and being happy. I read about her online and went to The Patricia Ladew Foundation to meet her!”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    Polly was about 15 when she entered Sarah’s life. Observing that the cat didn’t move much, the woman had low expectations for her

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    “Once I met her, she fit the criteria of what I was looking for. She seemed mellow and she had the most incredible purr I had ever heard in my life. Her age was no issue to me, in fact it was what I was looking for and on 26.02.2024 we will be celebrating having her for 3 years!”

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    “She craved attention and couldn’t get enough pets. The first time I met her, when I had to leave, she stared at me through the door and I just felt this connection with her and knew she was meant to be with me.”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    When Sarah brought Polly home, she acted like she had been there the whole time

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    ADVERTISEMENT

    According to Sarah, Polly started playing as if she were still a kitten. The woman really provided a place for her to fully heal.

    “She adapted so quickly to our home and acted like she had been there the whole time. I hadn’t seen her jump or move much at all in the shelter so I had low expectations. She can eat both wet and dry food despite having no teeth and does not need any special adaptations for her deafness. It is important for people to be a bit more cautious with deaf animals to not scare them. It’s best to make sure they see you before touching them. We still talk to her though as if she can hear us! We treat her just like the younger cats and I think she appreciates it!”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    Now, Polly is absolutely the queen of the house

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    Sarah mentioned that the cat has a lot of character and prefers to be independent

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    If someone comes too close to her, especially the younger cats, she acts like she doesn’t have time for their playful behavior

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    Then Sarah brought Elliot home

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    He was around 14 or 15 and was in poor condition. Despite that, the cat quickly made himself at home

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    Sarah started noticing Elliot next to Polly within the first weeks. The cats got on really well with each other

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The cats would cuddle together, and when Elliot approached Polly, she began grooming him. He would tilt his head in a particular way, showing he enjoys being groomed by her, and she equally enjoys grooming him.

    “People should know how special senior pets are”

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    “Senior cats are so incredibly grateful for all the love and it’s important that people stick by their pets during their later years. If you think about it, this is perhaps when they need us the most. These retirement years should be valued just as much as the earlier ones. I encourage people to look at not just puppies and kittens next time they look for a pet. Puppies and kittens grow up to be dogs and cats and one day, they’ll end up elderly and needing you more than ever.”

    “Adopting a senior is one of the most rewarding experiences ever and you’ll never regret it”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: meow_its_polly

    20Kviews

    Share on Facebook
    Hidrėlėy

    Hidrėlėy

    Author, Pro member

    Read more »

    Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

    Read less »
    Hidrėlėy

    Hidrėlėy

    Author, Pro member

    Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

    Gabrielė Malukaitė

    Gabrielė Malukaitė

    Moderator, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Hi there! I'm Gabrielė, but you can also catch me responding to Gab, Gabi, Gabert, or Gabe – take your pick. Professionally, I'm the senior community manager over at Bored Panda, helping people share their awesome work and connecting artists with a worldwide audience. Beyond work, you'll catch me traveling, listening to vinyl and diving into movies, art exhibitions, and concerts. I'm a culture buff at heart, always eager to explore and embrace the richness of the human experience.

    Read less »

    Gabrielė Malukaitė

    Gabrielė Malukaitė

    Moderator, BoredPanda staff

    Hi there! I'm Gabrielė, but you can also catch me responding to Gab, Gabi, Gabert, or Gabe – take your pick. Professionally, I'm the senior community manager over at Bored Panda, helping people share their awesome work and connecting artists with a worldwide audience. Beyond work, you'll catch me traveling, listening to vinyl and diving into movies, art exhibitions, and concerts. I'm a culture buff at heart, always eager to explore and embrace the richness of the human experience.

    What do you think ?
    Add photo comments
    POST
    Sakapulgas
    Community Member
    10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I could I would upvote this post at least 1000x ❤️❤️❤️

    Just-A-Black-Cat
    Community Member
    10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awww! I love how people are starting to realize just how amazing senior kitties are!❤️❤️

    Alexandra
    Community Member
    10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you for taking care of these senior cats! And thank you for posting about them. It's so nice to read about something other than the usual doom and gloom on a daily basis.

    Load More Comments
    Sakapulgas
    Community Member
    10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I could I would upvote this post at least 1000x ❤️❤️❤️

    Just-A-Black-Cat
    Community Member
    10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awww! I love how people are starting to realize just how amazing senior kitties are!❤️❤️

    Alexandra
    Community Member
    10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you for taking care of these senior cats! And thank you for posting about them. It's so nice to read about something other than the usual doom and gloom on a daily basis.

    Load More Comments
    You May Like
    Related on Bored Panda
    Related on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda