Whenever people approach me at the shelter where I volunteer, asking which type of cat they should adopt, I always advocate for senior cats.
Often, I receive puzzled looks, followed by the inevitable question, “But, why a senior cat? Isn’t it much better to adopt a kitten and watch it grow up?”
My response is usually along these lines: “Sure! It’s better for YOU to adopt a kitten. But it’s far more noble to go home with an older fluff and fill its remaining days with love.”
Don’t get me wrong – every cat deserves a loving home. But if you’re looking to make a real difference and not just bring home a new pet, choosing a senior cat is the way to go.
Trust me, every senior cat I’ve met so far in the shelter has been an absolute sweetheart – and today’s purrtagonist is no exception!
Meet Jack, a beautiful senior cat from New York with a pretty inspiring story to tell the world!
Jack’s Story
Jack was 11 years old when he was brought to Meow Parlour, New York’s first cat café and a non-profit rescue group.
His previous owner sadly had to surrender him she was moving into a nursing home and could no longer care for him.
Jack weighed 20 poundswhen he arrived at the shelter and was constantly drooling with his tongue hanging out.
As a geriatric cat, he had kidney disease, and high liver values, and even sported a bad haircut. But, despite these issues, the shelter staff quickly fell in love with him.
At Meow Parlour, Jack received a warm bath and was started on medication, which helped him feel better and more relaxed.
After stabilizing, Jack was taken in by a foster family. However, after less than a week, they noticed concerning signs about his health.
They became aware of his breathing difficulties, so they decided to take him to the hospital where Jack’s poor health was thoroughly examined.
Sudden Health Complications
Jack was initially taken to the ER and quickly transferred to a veterinary cardiologist after an X-ray showed he had an enlarged heart.
He remained in the hospital under oxygen therapy as a team of veterinary specialists conducted multiple tests to diagnose his condition.
Throughout his stay Jack was the best patient, proving once again how truly sweet he was.
After 48 hours, Jack was released from the hospital when the staff determined he no longer required oxygen support
But Jack’s health concerns were far from over. He continued to struggle with breathing, lacked any appetite, and suffered from ulcers in his nose and mouth.
Unfortunately, he developed a severe upper respiratory infection, which caused significant nasal discharge and disrupted his sleep.
Thankfully, the Meow Parlour team didn’t give up on this incredible cat! They continued administering his many medications, kept up with his nebulizer treatments, and cleaned his nose every hour.
They even set up a camera in front of his shelter enclosure so Christina, the shelter’s co-founder, could monitor him throughout the night.
Christina, who at the time was out of the country, couldn’t wait to come home and meet Jack. Talking about her anticipation, Christina said:
“Every time I would check out on him, I hoped he would hold out long enough for me to be able to meet him. And that’s what he did!”
Just two hours after her plane landed, Christina was on her way to meet Jack.
By then, the Meow Parlour team had managed to stabilize his condition, alleviating his breathing difficulties.
They conducted some follow-up tests and gave him an appetite stimulant, which encouraged him to start eating on his own.
After taking a few bites, Jack was ready to go to his new home – with Christina.
‘Fospice Home’ Full Of Love
Christina made a cozy nest in her bathroom shower for Jack to rest and recuperate. She gave him all the space he needed to relax, careful not to stress him, especially given his heart condition.
However, after less than five days, Jack was already out of the bathroom, clearly indicating he had no plans to return to his retreat.
This development sparked hope in everyone’s hearts that Jack might soon fully recover.
Jack adored Christina’s home and family and didn’t seem to mind her other cats, who took turns staring and hissing at him.
He was a walking love bug, always ready to snuggle next to his new mom, who was determined to make his golden years truly golden.
Jack’s tongue still stuck out of his mouth, but the length varied from day to day. Christina jokingly wondered on her Instagram whether the amount of blep correlated to his mood, haha. She said:
“Guess I’m going to have to start charting to see if Jack’s tongue length correlates to a particular mood. My current theory is that the more relaxed he is, the more it sticks out.”
During his stay with Christina, Jack met Pinto, a sweet kitten she was fostering. Jack instantly bonded with little Pinto, taking him under his wing as if he were his own kitten.
The two quickly formed a deep friendship, becoming inseparable. Just look at them! Aren’t they the cutest?
Farewell To Jack
Just five days after meeting Pinto, sweet Jack passed away, leaving a massive gap in his new family’s hearts.
That same day, Christina shared the sad news on Instagram in a heartfelt video, touching the hearts of all her followers who had fallen in love with Jack.
In the video, she reflected:
“Jack left the world this morning. I only got to be his mom for 18 days. (…) Eighteen days is enough time to fall in love. It’s enough time to think about the future, and it’s enough time to know that it mattered that the last two weeks of his life were happy.”
“I’m always surprised by how little time we get, and it breaks me every time. And all I can do is hope that maybe once they felt safe they were ready to let go and wait on the other side, so they could be there to greet their person when it’s their turn, too.”
I hope Christina’s example and Jack’s story remind us of the importance of adopting senior cats.
The way they cross over Rainbow Bridge truly matters and their last days are beyond precious – and we should never forget that.
I’m glad sweet Jack spent his final days in a loving home, surrounded by people who cared for and cherished him.
It’s comforting to know that he got a chance to fall in love with a kitten, found countless reasons to purr, and was able to live out his last days not in a cage, but in a warm, loving environment.
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