On the surface, it’s obvious why people and families go to shelters first and foremost to adopt puppies and kittens, but delve a little deeper and it’s difficult not to notice how readily humans underestimate the worth of a senior pet. Senior cats, who are placid and tolerant in their old age, frequently want nothing more than snuggles and hugs, as well as all the affection you can provide to a creature in need.
One 15-year-old “scraggly” cat found his way to the Voorhees Animal Orphanage, where employees noted his unquenchable desire for attention right away.
Barnaby. A suitable name for a classy, older cat is most certainly Barnaby and that is what the Voorhees Animal Orphanage named their aging cuddle companion. The entire staff found themselves smitten with the kitten, hearts melted around him.
“This super affectionate fellow shouldn’t be spending his golden years in the shelter,” the shelter said.
Adopting elderly cats, as we previously said, can be a difficult task. There aren’t enough people who understand the power of unconditional love that wonderful cats like Barnaby can provide, but luckily, fate had other plans for Barnaby than spending the rest of his days in the Animal Orphanage.
Dr. Ed Sheehan and his wife Clare Sheehan of Sheehan Veterinary Centre stumbled upon the Orphanage’s Faceook post promoting Barnaby for adoption before all hope could be lost. Clare stated,
We thought he required a lot of vet care based on his age and looks when we saw his image, etc. on Facebook.
So they immediately phoned the shelter and expressed their want to adopt him. The team at Voorhees couldn’t be more delighted! With Ed and Clare, he returned home.
Barnaby was taken to Ed’s veterinarian clinic for a complete checkup, including blood testing, and the entire team fell in love with him right away. His enthusiasm was contagious.
What about Barnaby? He felt completely at home straight away and didn’t hesitate to strut about the workplace like he owned the place.
Sheehan Veterinary Centre’s Rachel, a vet tech, said:
He mopped the floors after me to make sure no spots were missed, and he sat on my lap at the end of the night to check sure I did the books right.
He took his position as su-purr-visor very seriously.
Barnaby did require medical attention, but he was in the perfect position to receive it.
Rachel expressed herself as follows:
He’s on antibiotics now, and he looks to be getting better! He’s gained weight (almost a pound), and his coat is beginning to look healthier.
Spirited and sweet, Rachel went on to describe what life was like with Barnaby around the office:
He loves his special senior food, and enjoys being brushed regularly. He also takes his antibiotics like a champ and doesn’t complain at all.
Dr Ed and his wife Clare recognized Barnaby as requiring specialized veterinary care that the ordinary family would likely be unable to pay, making finding him a permanent home much more difficult than adopting a senior cat.
Ed and Clare, on the other hand, saw Barnaby as deserving of a second chance at life and didn’t hesitate to extend it to him. Clare stated,
To us, Barnaby is more than just a ‘house cat.’ Dr. Sheehan, myself, and the rest of our team adore him and take great care of him.
Barnaby is old, and he doesn’t always have the hunger he needs to stay in shape, but his nurses spoon feed him cat food gravy and additional vitamins in a cat food formula since he is so adored.
Clare went on to say:
Doc also observed that his pupils were dilated. He thinks it’s because he’s getting old because he doesn’t see much. He’s adapted well and is receiving a lot of love and attention. He’s a cheerful young man.
Clare and the rest of the Sheehan Veterinary staff clearly adore Barnaby:
Our objective is to keep him healthy and happy throughout the remainder of his life. Who knows what he went through, but his Veterinarian Father and I, as well as the rest of his Vet Tech and Assistants family, will love and care for him.
The Sheehans now have a Facebook page where they provide information about Barnaby and other animals on a regular basis.
Every pet, we at Sheehan Veterinary Centre think, deserves a loving home. As a result, we regularly house many of the stray cats in our community who are searching for a “furrever” home.
