Senior Cat Who Acts Like a Dog Hoping for New Family—'So Much Love to Give'

A senior cat with a seriously stand-out personality is searching for his forever home after more than 200 days in a shelter in Canada.

"He is almost 15 years old and came to us due to a need for dental surgery that his previous owner couldn't afford," a spokesperson for the Humane Society of London & Middlesex in London, Canada, told Newsweek.

Despite his mature age, Michael is anything but a typical senior cat. His agility and activity levels would fool anyone into thinking he's a spry 8-year-old. Michael's charm goes beyond his physical attributes; he possesses an uncanny dog-like demeanor, always eager to know where you're going and greeting visitors with unmatched enthusiasm.

"He is a solitary cat, and tolerates people to a point," the shelter spokesperson said. "We have had two applicants; one was younger who required a different cat for their situation, and one was a senior whom Michael decided he 'did not like.' He can be spicy when confronted."

While he has struggled to find his perfect match so far, his past experience shows that Michael can live harmoniously with both dogs and cats, making him a potential fit for homes with other pets. "You would never know he was as old as he is. If you are calm and watch his signals, he is a great guy. If you are looking for a sweet and cuddly guy, this is not him," the spokesperson added.

Michael has been in the care of the Humane Society for 215 days, but he has only recently become available for adoption. The shelter spokesperson said that this is due to delays as a result of high numbers in their care: "This is unfortunately what happens in our shelter and what we are working very hard to correct with our new home and new onsite veterinary clinic. We urgently need funding this year to keep things on track."

Potential adopters are encouraged to visit the shelter and get to know Michael in person. Despite his "spicy moments," the spokesperson said that Michael has so much love to give, making him the perfect companion for someone seeking an older feline friend with a heart full of affection.

Each year, 6.3 million pets are surrendered to U.S. shelters, which is 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 during January 2023, an increase of 1,744 compared with January 2022, the 24Pet '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.

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