“Match made in heaven”: 101-year-old woman adopts the oldest cat at a shelter.

Here’s proof positive that happy endings are possible. The following heartwarming story from the Humane Society of Catawba County, North Carolina, makes anyone who loves animals smile!

In September 2021, Gus was brought to the shelter by an animal lover. According to Jane Bowers, executive director of Humane Society of Catawba County, his original owner was “heartbroken.” Because he had to be surrendered for unforeseen reasons. A cat owner’s sadness would be understandable if they were forced to rehome their beloved pet. The story of this senior cat does not end there, though.

When Gus arrived at the shelter, a health screening revealed that he was in exceptional shape–no small feat for a cat that’s close to 20 years old! Although the shelter was funded to provide extra health care and was receiving assistance from a sister center in Hickory, N.C. Bowers said she was still concerned about him spending the last few years of his life in a shelter.

The Strangest Coincidence

It wouldn’t be long until Bowers’ concerns were put to rest. Gus’s arrival prompted a call from a family looking for a companion for their aging mother soon after he arrived at the shelter. Their specific request was to be able to adopt a senior cat. Bowers was informed that the family’s 101-year-old mother, Penny, recently lost her cat, and, despite being given a stuffed cat instead of an actual cat, she wasn’t happy because it wasn’t purring.

“We were cautious because of the age of all parties, but the family said they were willing to care for the cat on behalf of their mother,” Bowers writes. It was a “match made in heaven,” and the adoption was quickly finalized. Judging by the adorable pictures the shelter shared on Facebook, it’s clear that this duo was meant to be. Gus is already fitting right in at his new home and enjoys watching the squirrels outside their door.

It sounds like Gus is feeling right at home in his new living situation, too. When asked if life is faring well for Gus and Penny, Bowers shares that Gus “had settled in fine and was eating like a horse.”