Hoonie, a 16-year-old cat, has gone through a lot in his life recently, but one thing hasn’t changed: his favorite stuffed animal, a gray and white cat, is still at his side.
Hoonie’s owner passed away lately, leaving him without a home. Hoonie was first taken in by the owner’s daughter, but she and her own son are allergic to cats, so they were unable to keep him. As a result, Hoonie and his toy cat were sent to Alley Cat Rescue in Maryland.
Hoonie’s doing “really well,” but he’s still adjusting to the new sights and sounds at the shelter, Brianna Grant, communications associate at Alley Cat Rescue, told The Dodo. His stuffed cat, which probably still smells like home, is his greatest comfort.
“We’ve never seen a cat that is so attached to a stuffed animal,” Grant said. “It really seems to be his support system.”
Hoonie spends all of his time with his stuffed cat — he sleeps with it, cuddles with it and wrestles with it.
Grant stated, “It’s been a long-time partner.” “She [the owner’s daughter] emailed us images of Hoonie roughhousing with the plush animal, thus I believe Hoonie enjoys and is devoted to the stuffed animal.” He’s been in the cage for a while now, simply snuggling close to it, and it appears to be helping him out.”
While the staff will do everything they can to help Hoonie get used to shelter life, they ultimately want him to find a new home, especially since he craves attention from people.
Grant described him as a “big talker.” “It’s rather lovely.” He’ll let you know when he’s lonely. You’ll be able to hear him from across the room. But when you go hang out with him, he simply becomes quiet and sits out next to you, and he appears to be perfectly satisfied just to have people about him.”
Grant hopes that Hoonie’s elderly age does not dissuade potential adopters because he is in good condition.
“He is a senior cat in the last stages of his life, so I think people have a hard time dealing with the idea of adopting a cat and making a connection, just for the cat to pass away,” Grant said. “But I’m sure that whoever gets him and adopts him will have a great few years with him. He’s such a sweetheart.”
Hoonie would be best suited to a tranquil household setting with no other cats, and preferably with owners who are there frequently, according to Grant.
Hoonie’s toy cat will accompany him to his new home when he is adopted. “We couldn’t tell the two apart,” Grant chuckled. “They’re a deal – two for the price of one.”
