ADVERTISEMENT

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

Barbara T. Bates Report

#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

rachelpurrmeow Report

#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

imgur.com Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#5

I Adopted A 14 Year Old Cat Named Venture

I Adopted A 14 Year Old Cat Named Venture

LeelooDallasSupremeBeing Report

Add photo comments
POST
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)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

tinikay Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

tokitorii Report

#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

agskaali Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

imgur.com Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

UniBrr Report

#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

meowbandit Report

#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

lazespud Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

haley13 Report

#14

I Recently Adopted My Parents 15 Year Old Cat

I Recently Adopted My Parents 15 Year Old Cat

ElectricHerpes Report

#15

Just Adopted My First Cat. He Is 11 Years Old

Just Adopted My First Cat. He Is 11 Years Old

EvilMartha Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

HerpBlvd Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

imgur.com Report

#20

I Adopted An 11-Year-Old Cat Yesterday

I Adopted An 11-Year-Old Cat Yesterday

kolop1 Report

Add photo comments
POST
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

View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

TheRealManniMonster Report

Add photo comments
POST
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

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#22

My New Roomie 18 Year Old Mr. Salem Schmusel

My New Roomie 18 Year Old Mr. Salem Schmusel

Report

#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

Millencolinm3 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#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 :)

Report

#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!

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

pianoman1011 Report

#29

Adopted This 10 Year Old Lady From The Shelter Today

Adopted This 10 Year Old Lady From The Shelter Today

sumguy720 Report

#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

tiapet12 Report

Add photo comments
POST
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!

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#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

blssthsnnr Report

#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.

Report

#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

snowflake32 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#34

We Took A 13 Year Old Siamese Cat

We Took A 13 Year Old Siamese Cat

Ericjm Report

#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!

Report

#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

ThrowTheHeat Report

Add photo comments
POST
#37

This Is Bailey, My Recently Adopted 14 Year Old Cat

This Is Bailey, My Recently Adopted 14 Year Old Cat

abbeydabbeydo Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#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.

Report

#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

emmagwtw Report

#40

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

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

Vajazzled Report

Add photo comments
POST
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!!

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#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

Perfectlykayla Report

#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.

Report

#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.

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#44

Just Adopted This Beautiful 8 Year Old Girl This Past Monday

Just Adopted This Beautiful 8 Year Old Girl This Past Monday

Kittehhh Report

#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

Report

#46

I Adopted A Beautiful 6 Year Old Bengal Cat Called Saffi

I Adopted A Beautiful 6 Year Old Bengal Cat Called Saffi

yesiplaytheoboe Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#47

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

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

Report

#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

Porkpants81 Report

#49

I Adopted Eddie When He Was 21 Years Old.

I Adopted Eddie When He Was 21 Years Old.

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#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!

Report

#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

TheLastCartographer Report

#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

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

Report

#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!

Report

#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....

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#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.

Report

#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

Report

#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.

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

Report

#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.

Report

#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 .

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#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

Report

#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.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#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

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#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!

Report

#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.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#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...

Report

#68

Rumsfeld. Adopted At 10, Lived To 21.

Rumsfeld. Adopted At 10, Lived To 21.

Report

#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.

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#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

Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Report

#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.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
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!

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#74

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

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

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#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.

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#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

Report

Add photo comments
POST
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

View more commentsArrow down menu
#78

Stubby, My Soft, Furry Shelter Friend :)

Stubby, My Soft, Furry Shelter Friend :)

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#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+

Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#80

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