Cat Returned to Shelter After Just 4 Days Finally Finds True Forever Home

A cat who spent just over six months in a shelter, and was even returned from a potential home, has finally found the perfect family.

Red was surrendered to the Australian Animal Protection Society (AAPS) shelter in Victoria, Australia. Unable to care for her because they were relocating overseas, Red waited in the shelter but was overlooked time and again.

"Adult cats, especially tabby domestic short hairs, tend to stay in our shelter for long periods of time as people tend to consider them as 'non-desirable,'" a shelter spokesperson told Newsweek.

After more than 150 days in the shelter, the AAPS shared her story on social media, which did lead to interest from a family who adopted her.

But it wasn't to be as she was returned to the shelter just four days later, with the adopter citing that Red hadn't settled quickly enough and was reluctant to sit on their lap.

Each year, 6.3 million pets enter U.S. shelters at an average of 17,260 a day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The number of dogs and cats taken in by pet shelters hit 46,807 last January, an increase of 1,744 compared to January 2022, 24Petwatch's Shelter Watch Report found.

Around 920,000 surrendered animals are euthanized every year. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.

Despite the setback, the shelter remained dedicated to finding Red's forever home, and soon it paid off.

An experienced cat owner heard about Red's story and stepped in, offering her a permanent home.

Red, now renamed "Ruby" in her home, has happily found herself in the company of two other adopted cats and a patient owner who understands the importance of giving animals a second chance. "Ruby's new owner has a big heart and tries to adopt animals who really need adopting, like senior cats," said the shelter.

The shelter shared the good news on their TikTok page and people were delighted to hear about the happy ending.

"Oh thank goodness," said one viewer. While another wrote: "Made my day. Amazing update."

"Great news!" said another TikToker.

"Ruby's guardian understands that animals deserve a second chance," the shelter explained.

This isn't the first time someone has taken a chance on an older cat, like the 10-year-old cat with a hilariously unusual morning routine or the 19-year-old cat given a "retirement home" by a new adopter.

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