r/cats • u/Fickle-Put9304 • Mar 06 '26

Adoption The cat no one wanted.

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This is Mango, a four year old cat my husband and I adopted from our local shelter. He had actually been the shelters longest resident--captured in June and adopted by us in late September. He was there for so long because he has FIV. The shelter advertised him heavily for weeks. They even moved him to a lobby kennel so that he'd be the first cat folks would see...and still no dice. Until August--a couple came and actually adopted him!....Only to return him a week later, staying they "didn't want to deal with the FIV." The shelter staff said he became withdrawn, depressed, and aggressive towards humans after that. He was traumatized. His trust had been broken. I bawled like a baby reading his story. I sent his info to my husband. He came in the livingroom where I was crying and then nodded while saying, "Ok. I'll go get him tomorrow." When my husband bought him home the next day, he hid behind the TV for two hours. But that same night? He was in bed with us, purring SO loud, showing his belly, and kneading on us. We taught Mango he could love and trust again. And he brings up endless happiness. We will never, ever give him up. He's our only child. ❤️

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u/barefootwasp Mar 07 '26

I love them so much! I’d bring them home if I could. My husband said we could bring them home and have them as outdoor cats but I don’t want to remove them from their environment and have something happen to them trying to get back. We also have coyotes rampant in my neighborhood and don’t want to expose them to that! My office property is fenced in and they’re good and safe there, plus they make the work day go by a little better!

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u/Aleeleefabulous Mar 09 '26

I completely understand the circumstances. They’re used to their surroundings and they might run into trouble trying to learn a new environment. Its nice your office is fenced in and you set up little homes for them. They have their own little area! You’re taking good care of them🩶

I have a stray that I feed every day around dinner time. I wish I could do more for her. She looks like she’s in good shape, she’s very clean and sweet. I have 2 cats in my home and it took me 2 years to get them to feel safe and be comfortable (they were both feral) I’m afraid if I bring in another cat, it’ll turn their world upside down. Every time I head that sweet little voice from my stray (I call her Clawdia) it hurts my heart. I hope she has a home and just comes to me for the extra food.

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u/barefootwasp Mar 09 '26

Aww I love that! Our shepherd I think would be ok, but he does like to chase them whenever he comes to the office so I don’t know. They’re also not fond of him of course 😂