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Adopting a shelter cat is one of the most wonderful acts of kindness that a person can do for an animal, but older cats, who might not be as adorable to most as young and playful kittens, often get overlooked. Hopefully, this post will show you how awesome older cats can be and inspire you to adopt one of your very own!

Older cats are often the first to go if a shelter has to euthanize some of its animals, so your impact on your new elderly adoptee's life will be all the greater. Though they can suffer from more diseases than young cats, older cats are often already house-trained and socialized, and their personality will already be set – no surprises!

#1

This cat adopted this 102-year-old woman

This cat adopted this 102-year-old woman

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#2

A Friend Of Mine Just Adopted This 6-Year-Old Cat, And This Is How She Waits For Her Food

A Friend Of Mine Just Adopted This 6-Year-Old Cat, And This Is How She Waits For Her Food

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#3

Fulfilled A Life Goal Of Mine Today And Adopted The Oldest Cat At The Local Shelter

Fulfilled A Life Goal Of Mine Today And Adopted The Oldest Cat At The Local Shelter

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#5

I Adopted A 14 Year Old Cat Named Venture

I Adopted A 14 Year Old Cat Named Venture

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maryse.meunier.59 avatar
MaryseMeunier
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My last cat lived 20 years. I wish you at least 6 years of happiness with Venture. :0)

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#6

I Adopted My 9 Year Old From The Shelter Last Year. She Hasn't Left My Side Since

I Adopted My 9 Year Old From The Shelter Last Year. She Hasn't Left My Side Since

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#7

Zeta Is About 15 Years Old Now And I Adopted Her 5 Years Ago From The Vet Clinic I Worked At

Zeta Is About 15 Years Old Now And I Adopted Her 5 Years Ago From The Vet Clinic I Worked At

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#8

My So And I Adopted A 10+ Year Old Cat Who Used To Live In The Park

My So And I Adopted A 10+ Year Old Cat Who Used To Live In The Park

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#9

I Adopted A 4 Year Old Cat. She Hated All The Toys Except One

I Adopted A 4 Year Old Cat. She Hated All The Toys Except One

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#10

Adopted An 8-Year-Old Cat From Local Rescue, This Is 10 Minutes After We Got Home

Adopted An 8-Year-Old Cat From Local Rescue, This Is 10 Minutes After We Got Home

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#11

I Adopted This Beautiful 13 Year Old Cat. Her Name Is Q-tip For Now But We Are Trying To Think Of A New Name

I Adopted This Beautiful 13 Year Old Cat. Her Name Is Q-tip For Now But We Are Trying To Think Of A New Name

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#12

This White Cat In The Middle Was About 19 Years Old. He Was Adopted By An Older Woman

This White Cat In The Middle Was About 19 Years Old. He Was Adopted By An Older Woman

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#13

I Just Adopted This 9 Year Old Girl From The Shelter. Her Name Is Pumpkin

I Just Adopted This 9 Year Old Girl From The Shelter. Her Name Is Pumpkin

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#14

I Recently Adopted My Parents 15 Year Old Cat

I Recently Adopted My Parents 15 Year Old Cat

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#15

Just Adopted My First Cat. He Is 11 Years Old

Just Adopted My First Cat. He Is 11 Years Old

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#18

We Adopted An 8 Year Old Cat From The Shelter Because He Stole Our Hearts With His Cuddles

We Adopted An 8 Year Old Cat From The Shelter Because He Stole Our Hearts With His Cuddles

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#19

Meet Floyd. This 6 Year Old Looker Was At The Shelter For Months

Meet Floyd. This 6 Year Old Looker Was At The Shelter For Months

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#20

I Adopted An 11-Year-Old Cat Yesterday

I Adopted An 11-Year-Old Cat Yesterday

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DebbiRead
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my cat lived until she was 21.. I had her froma kitten the runt of the litter..so all you lovely people should have a long time with your cats xx

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#21

I Adopted A 7-Year-Old 27 Pound Cat Today, His Name Is Atticus But My Boyfriend Calls Him Fatticus

I Adopted A 7-Year-Old 27 Pound Cat Today, His Name Is Atticus But My Boyfriend Calls Him Fatticus

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IreneRussak
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

haha the look on his face says he doesn't really approve being called fat:D

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#22

My New Roomie 18 Year Old Mr. Salem Schmusel

My New Roomie 18 Year Old Mr. Salem Schmusel

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#24

He May Not Be The Cutest Cat But We Adopted A Fiv+ 5 Year Old Tomcat And He Loves Having A Forever Home

He May Not Be The Cutest Cat But We Adopted A Fiv+ 5 Year Old Tomcat And He Loves Having A Forever Home

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#25

I Adopted Bubbles, He's 7, With No Tail And Just 3 Legs... And We Love Him To Bits :)

I Adopted Bubbles, He's 7, With No Tail And Just 3 Legs... And We Love Him To Bits :)

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#27

Miss Smiley Was Adopted By Will (pictured) And I Last Fall, At The Age Of 20!

Miss Smiley Was Adopted By Will (pictured) And I Last Fall, At The Age Of 20!

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#28

8 Year Old Cat I Adopted Today. She Won't Leave My Side

8 Year Old Cat I Adopted Today. She Won't Leave My Side

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#29

Adopted This 10 Year Old Lady From The Shelter Today

Adopted This 10 Year Old Lady From The Shelter Today

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#30

1 Week Ago I Adopted An 11 Year Old Cat From A Rescue Center

1 Week Ago I Adopted An 11 Year Old Cat From A Rescue Center

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MichelleGoldsmith
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a beautiful kitty -- hope you have many, many more years with your new cat!

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#31

I Adopted An Older Cat Today - This Is Lenka, The First Pet That Is My Own

I Adopted An Older Cat Today - This Is Lenka, The First Pet That Is My Own

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#32

Adopted 9 Year Old Monty As A Younger Play Mate For My 14 Year Old Rescue Kitty.

Adopted 9 Year Old Monty As A Younger Play Mate For My 14 Year Old Rescue Kitty.

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#33

I Finally Adopted My First Cat. She's 5 Years Old But Still Looks Like A Kitten

I Finally Adopted My First Cat. She's 5 Years Old But Still Looks Like A Kitten

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#34

We Took A 13 Year Old Siamese Cat

We Took A 13 Year Old Siamese Cat

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#35

Meet Cuddles, The 13 Year Old Cat My Boyfriend And I Adopted. Best $5 We Ever Spent!

Meet Cuddles, The 13 Year Old Cat My Boyfriend And I Adopted. Best $5 We Ever Spent!

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#36

We Went To Adopt An Older Rescue Cat, So We Have Two New Additions To The Family

We Went To Adopt An Older Rescue Cat, So We Have Two New Additions To The Family

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#37

This Is Bailey, My Recently Adopted 14 Year Old Cat

This Is Bailey, My Recently Adopted 14 Year Old Cat

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#38

Angus Is 12 Years Old And Daffodil 2 Years Old, Adopted As Strangers And Now In Love.

Angus Is 12 Years Old And Daffodil 2 Years Old, Adopted As Strangers And Now In Love.

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#39

I Just Adopted A 5 Year Old Kitty From The Humane Society.meet Bitsy

I Just Adopted A 5 Year Old Kitty From The Humane Society.meet Bitsy

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#40

Meet My New Adopted Cat Jerry. He Is 7 Years Old

Meet My New Adopted Cat Jerry. He Is 7 Years Old

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MeghannHafner
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol I've never seen a cat fit it's name more perfect! He looks like a jerry!!

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#41

We Adopted An Older Cat Today. We Felt That Dexter Was A Fitting Name For Very Serious Kitty

We Adopted An Older Cat Today. We Felt That Dexter Was A Fitting Name For Very Serious Kitty

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#42

Stella Was 15 When We Adopted Her. We Had Her For 5 Years And Loved Her To Bits.

Stella Was 15 When We Adopted Her. We Had Her For 5 Years And Loved Her To Bits.

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#43

I Adopted My First Cat Who Is 6 Years Old. Her Name Is Asha.

I Adopted My First Cat Who Is 6 Years Old. Her Name Is Asha.

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#44

Just Adopted This Beautiful 8 Year Old Girl This Past Monday

Just Adopted This Beautiful 8 Year Old Girl This Past Monday

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#45

I Adopted This Beauty From The Shelter When He Was 22! I Named Him Grandpa. He Was Wonderful

I Adopted This Beauty From The Shelter When He Was 22! I Named Him Grandpa. He Was Wonderful

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#46

I Adopted A Beautiful 6 Year Old Bengal Cat Called Saffi

I Adopted A Beautiful 6 Year Old Bengal Cat Called Saffi

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MPaulaWhelan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her ears are antennae; she will be well informed about your actions.

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#47

Mitzi. She Is About 8 Years Old And She Adopted Us.

Mitzi. She Is About 8 Years Old And She Adopted Us.

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#48

My Girlfriend And I Adopted A 5 Year Old Cat From A Shelter And He's Finally Settling In

My Girlfriend And I Adopted A 5 Year Old Cat From A Shelter And He's Finally Settling In

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#49

I Adopted Eddie When He Was 21 Years Old.

I Adopted Eddie When He Was 21 Years Old.

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#50

Cher Is 6 1/2 Years Old And Has Been A Shelter Cat Her Entire Life...until We Adopted Her!

Cher Is 6 1/2 Years Old And Has Been A Shelter Cat Her Entire Life...until We Adopted Her!

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#51

Adopted An 8 Year Old Cat Today His Name Is Jasper A.k.a. Mr. Handsome

Adopted An 8 Year Old Cat Today His Name Is Jasper A.k.a. Mr. Handsome

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#52

I Rescued My 10+ Year Old Friend From The Streets A Year And A Half Ago. She Passed Away Last M

I Rescued My 10+ Year Old Friend From The Streets A Year And A Half Ago. She Passed Away Last M

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#53

I Adopted Big Garfield When He Was Six. He Spent Five Furryful Years With Us

I Adopted Big Garfield When He Was Six. He Spent Five Furryful Years With Us

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#54

I Adopted Chester Nearly 2 Years Ago, He Was 8. He Is The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me!

I Adopted Chester Nearly 2 Years Ago, He Was 8. He Is The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me!

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#55

I'm Not Even Sure How Old Josie Is, But She Was At Least 13 When I Adopted Her Years Ago....

I'm Not Even Sure How Old Josie Is, But She Was At Least 13 When I Adopted Her Years Ago....

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#56

This Is Barry. The Vet I Adopted Him From (after He Was Found In A Bin) Suspects He's 10 Or More.

This Is Barry. The Vet I Adopted Him From (after He Was Found In A Bin) Suspects He's 10 Or More.

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#57

We Adopted 4-year Old Cat After A Year In Shelter Where She Was Taking Pills For Depression

We Adopted 4-year Old Cat After A Year In Shelter Where She Was Taking Pills For Depression

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#58

We Weren't Looking For A Cat Like Him.. But Luckily Viljo 10+ Made It Clear That He Chose Us.

We Weren't Looking For A Cat Like Him.. But Luckily Viljo 10+ Made It Clear That He Chose Us.

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#59

Poppy. Adopted Years Ago, Now 16. Sleeps Like A Pro. The Bear Is His Snuggle Buddy

Poppy. Adopted Years Ago, Now 16. Sleeps Like A Pro. The Bear Is His Snuggle Buddy

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#60

Here Is Merlin. 13 Years Old. He Was In The Shelter For More Than 1 Year.

Here Is Merlin. 13 Years Old. He Was In The Shelter For More Than 1 Year.

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#61

I Adopted This Sweetheart From The Shelter When She Was 3 Years Old And Has Been There For 6 .

I Adopted This Sweetheart From The Shelter When She Was 3 Years Old And Has Been There For 6 .

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#62

I Addopted This Big Boy 3 Years Ago. He Was 4 Then. His Name Translated Is Fat Leo. Nr #1 Cat

I Addopted This Big Boy 3 Years Ago. He Was 4 Then. His Name Translated Is Fat Leo. Nr #1 Cat

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#63

Steve, Our Three-legged Love, Was Adopted 3 Years Ago When He Was 6.

Steve, Our Three-legged Love, Was Adopted 3 Years Ago When He Was 6.

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#64

We Adopted Sir Mortimer When He Was 9! He Is 14 Now

We Adopted Sir Mortimer When He Was 9! He Is 14 Now

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#65

My Boyfriend & I Adopted The Cat Who Had Been At The Shelter The Longest. 5 Yr Old Jax!

My Boyfriend & I Adopted The Cat Who Had Been At The Shelter The Longest. 5 Yr Old Jax!

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#66

This Is Our Nala. We Adopted Her Just After Christmas Last Year When She Was Seven.

This Is Our Nala. We Adopted Her Just After Christmas Last Year When She Was Seven.

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mothernature61 avatar
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nala follows me around the house like a shadow. When I'm sitting in the living room, she is sure to either be sleeping in her bed next to me or right in my lap. We miss our other kitties that have passed away, Rumpleteaser (8), Mungojerrie(10) and Mistofleas(14). So happy my kids asked to visit the local shelter during the holidays.

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#67

I Adopted Saphira An 8 Years Old Silber Bengal. The Cat Loves Me...

I Adopted Saphira An 8 Years Old Silber Bengal. The Cat Loves Me...

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#68

Rumsfeld. Adopted At 10, Lived To 21.

Rumsfeld. Adopted At 10, Lived To 21.

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#69

We Adopted Deuschess When She Was At Least 1 Year. She Died Last Year After 21 Years With Us.

We Adopted Deuschess When She Was At Least 1 Year. She Died Last Year After 21 Years With Us.

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#70

Tinkerbell Was Dumped At The Cat Shelter Because 'she Didn't Match The Furniture' Which Was Bro

Tinkerbell Was Dumped At The Cat Shelter Because 'she Didn't Match The Furniture' Which Was Bro

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MPaulaWhelan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tuxedos are ALWAYS appropriate. Previous humans were obviously philistines.

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#71

Adopted This Sweet 7 Year Old Girl Who Is Blind From Animal Shelter Few Months Ago

Adopted This Sweet 7 Year Old Girl Who Is Blind From Animal Shelter Few Months Ago

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#72

I Took In 9 Yr Old Ozzy After His Owners Moved And Left Him Behind.

I Took In 9 Yr Old Ozzy After His Owners Moved And Left Him Behind.

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MichelleGoldsmith
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's one thing to place a cat you can't keep with a shelter or adoption home, but to just leave it behind -- what kind of a person abandons a pet like that! So glad you were their to take him in!

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#74

Adopted From Incapable Owner, Now Proud Grandmother Of 14+ (?) Years

Adopted From Incapable Owner, Now Proud Grandmother Of 14+ (?) Years

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#76

I Adopted Gucci (8) And A Bit Later Louie (12). Both Lost Their Humans Before.

I Adopted Gucci (8) And A Bit Later Louie (12). Both Lost Their Humans Before.

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#77

Alice Derbyshire Who Lived Until Nearly 26 Years Old And Was Such A Treasure Xx

Alice Derbyshire Who Lived Until Nearly 26 Years Old And Was Such A Treasure Xx

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tmderbyshire avatar
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We inherited her from my mother in law after she passed away. Alice was still a sprightly old lady in her 20's and could still jump onto the garden fence

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#78

Stubby, My Soft, Furry Shelter Friend :)

Stubby, My Soft, Furry Shelter Friend :)

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5 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#79

I Adopted The Oldest Cat In The Shelter And I'm Totally In Love With Her. Gatto 11+

I Adopted The Oldest Cat In The Shelter And I'm Totally In Love With Her. Gatto 11+

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MPaulaWhelan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such sharp contrast in fur colours makes for a grand tuxedo, which is always in style.

#80

I Adopted Mello Many Years Ago As 5 Years Old Wild Hunter. My Husband Call Him Melon Xd

I Adopted Mello Many Years Ago As 5 Years Old Wild Hunter. My Husband Call Him Melon Xd

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#81

We Adopted Sisco When He Was 8 From Family, He Wasn't Getting Enough Attention! He's 15 Now!!!

We Adopted Sisco When He Was 8 From Family, He Wasn't Getting Enough Attention! He's 15 Now!!!

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#82

Adopted This 4 Year Old Handsome Man After He Spent 2 Years At The Shelter!

Adopted This 4 Year Old Handsome Man After He Spent 2 Years At The Shelter!

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MPaulaWhelan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I ave no idea how people choose cats. That he could languish for 2 years boggles my mind. He will give you years of pleasure, I'm sure.

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#83

My Boyfriend Gaves Me This Cute 9years Old Lady For My Birthday. Couldn't Love Them More.

My Boyfriend Gaves Me This Cute 9years Old Lady For My Birthday. Couldn't Love Them More.

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#84

This Is Honey. She Was Four When We Got Her. She's Not Eight And My Best Friend

This Is Honey. She Was Four When We Got Her. She's Not Eight And My Best Friend

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#85

I Found This Kitten By The Street Five Days Ago

I Found This Kitten By The Street Five Days Ago

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#86

Oliver (inbred) Would Have Been Euthanized If I Hadn't Adopted Him. He's 8 Now And I Love Him!!

Oliver (inbred) Would Have Been Euthanized If I Hadn't Adopted Him. He's 8 Now And I Love Him!!

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#87

My Cat Adopted Me! Three Years Agieren This Cat Chose Us As Ist Family. He's About 12-14 Years

My Cat Adopted Me! Three Years Agieren This Cat Chose Us As Ist Family. He's About 12-14 Years

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#88

Came With Her Brother At 15 Years Old, Purrs In Her Sleep.