The love between humans and their pets is a strong bond so it is heart-breaking when you have to give your pets up. An elderly woman in Maryland, USA had this dilemma when she was forced to give up her beloved cats to a shelter after leaning that she had to move to a nursing home. She surrendered her two elderly Birman cats, Missy and Zipper, in hopes that someone else would provide a loving home for them as she had for 16 years.
Via Friends of Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control, Inc.
Jump to:
- The two 16-year-old cats were left at the shelter with a note giving instructions for their care.
- Of the two, Missy is the shy one and Zipper is quick to make friends.
- The note the cats were sent with gave very specific instructions for their care and really showed how much the woman had cared for them.
- The two adorable cats stole everyone’s hearts at the shelter and their story made everyone emotional. The shelter employees decided to post about them online.
- Many people were moved by their story, and soon, the applications to adopt them started pouring in.
- Within 24 hours of the posting, a woman from Oregon saw it and knew Missy and Zipper were perfect for her parents who lived 5 miles away from this shelter.
- When her parents met Missy and Zipper, it seemed like it was meant to be.
- While the story of Missy and Zipper has a happy ending, they’re not the only ones who got lucky. Their story helped bring attention to other senior cats at the shelter.
The two 16-year-old cats were left at the shelter with a note giving instructions for their care.
Missy and Zipper had been adopted by this woman when they were kittens. The two were inseparable and were taken very good care of for years. Unfortunately, their owner was ill and could no longer live on her own nor care for Missy and Zipper because she had to live in a nursing home. As her family also refused to adopt the two cats, she surrendered them to Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control (AACAC) in Virginia, USA.
Via Friends of Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control, Inc.
Of the two, Missy is the shy one and Zipper is quick to make friends.
Via Friends of Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control, Inc.
Via Friends of Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control, Inc.
The note the cats were sent with gave very specific instructions for their care and really showed how much the woman had cared for them.
Via Friends of Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control, Inc.
The note reads:
“Keep together
Never been in the water
No kids
No outside (never been out)
Like to look out the window
Missy is skittish, afraid of loud noises
Can’t eat dry food–they eat Fancy Feast–the kind with gravy.
Zipper likes his food served in a mound.
Zipper only eats Fancy Feast fish and shrimp.
[He] gets 1/2 slice of American cheese–crumbled into balls as an A.M. or afternoon snack.
Missy likes Friskies beef shredded with ocean whitefish and tuna.
Missy also likes Fancy Feast gravy lovers, turkey with gravy lovers, chicken and beef feast.
*Chop Missy’s food
At night they get to eat Cool Whip off your finger. Zipper gets 5 fingerfulls. Missy gets 4 fingerfulls, if they want.”
The two adorable cats stole everyone’s hearts at the shelter and their story made everyone emotional. The shelter employees decided to post about them online.
The post read: “The shelter is reaching out to its rescue partners and to groups that specialize in Birmans, but we’ll be honest: A pair of 16-year-old cats who must stay together is a hard sell, even if, as senior cats, they are available for free from the shelter. Their best chance for a happy forever? An adopter with an enormous heart, a quiet home, a sunny windowsill – and maybe even a comforting tub of Cool Whip.”
Via Friends of Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control, Inc.
Many people were moved by their story, and soon, the applications to adopt them started pouring in.
Via Friends of Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control, Inc.
Within 24 hours of the posting, a woman from Oregon saw it and knew Missy and Zipper were perfect for her parents who lived 5 miles away from this shelter.
Her parents were trying to cope with the loss of their cat and this woman was sure that Missy and Zipper could help heal their hearts and bring them joy.
Via Friends of Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control, Inc.
When her parents met Missy and Zipper, it seemed like it was meant to be.
Missy was shy and took some time to get friendly with them, but Zipper was as friendly as always and was even licking their faces! Missy and Zipper finally had their new forever home.
Via Friends of Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control, Inc.
While the story of Missy and Zipper has a happy ending, they’re not the only ones who got lucky. Their story helped bring attention to other senior cats at the shelter.
Following the viral post about Missy and Zipper, a lot of people came to the shelter to give senior cats loving forever homes. This led to some happy adoptions: 14-year-old-brothers Ralphie and Alphie, 14-year-old Kitty and Junior as well as 6-year old Bisty Bee who also has FIV.
Via Friends of Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control, Inc.
It’s heart-warming to see such a happy ending for Missy and Zipper as well as for the other cats who got attention thanks to the two Birman kitties. Senior cats and sick cats are often the least likely to get adopted out of shelters and often die there so it’s lovely to see people stepping up to provide the love and care these animals need in the limited time they have on this planet.
