A Shelter Cat Wears New Outfits Every Day to Find a New Family
A shelter cat in Arizona has captured the hearts of many people with his adorable daily outfits in a bid to find a forever home. Paul, a three-year-old cat at the Whiskers ‘N’ Wishes Sanctuary in Tucson, Arizona, has been dressing up in a variety of cute and quirky outfits, which are then posted online by the shelter.
The shelter’s staff came up with the idea of dressing Paul in different outfits each day to attract attention and increase his chances of finding a loving family.
The Trend Takes Off
On September 18, the shelter’s social media post featuring Paul in his Sunday vest went viral, attracting millions of views. The picture showed Paul looking directly into the camera, wearing a fancy bow tie.
The Whiskers ‘N’ Wishes Sanctuary has been overwhelmed by the response and hopes that Paul’s popularity will lead to his adoption and create awareness about the thousands of pets looking for homes across the United States.
The Overwhelming Problem
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), a staggering 6.3 million pets are surrendered to shelters in the US every year. That equates to an average of 17,260 pets being surrendered daily. In January 2023 alone, pet shelters took in 46,807 dogs and cats. This represents an increase of 1,744 compared to January 2022, as reported by the 24Pet Shelter Watch.
Tragically, around 920,000 animals are euthanized each year. Shelters are actively campaigning to reduce euthanasia rates through adoption initiatives, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.
Paul’s Unique Needs
Whiskers ‘N’ Wishes Sanctuary
Emily Shields, the founder of the Whiskers ‘N’ Wishes Sanctuary, shared that Paul prefers to be the only cat in a home. He can also live with female cats or submissive male cats. It is essential to note that Paul has the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV+), a common infectious disease among cats worldwide.
Contrary to popular misconception, FIV+ cats can live long, healthy lives. While the virus weakens their immune system, cats infected with FIV commonly live average lifespans as long as they are not additionally infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV).
Joining Forces to Save Lives
Pet shelters like Whiskers ‘N’ Wishes Sanctuary are committed to finding loving homes for abandoned animals. They work diligently to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption, spaying and neutering pets, and rehabilitating animals with behavioral issues.
If you are looking to welcome a new furry friend into your life, consider rescuing a shelter pet like Paul. These animals have so much love to give and are desperate for a forever home. Together, we can make a difference and reduce the number of pets facing uncertain futures in shelters.
Share Your Rescue Pet’s Story
Do you have a heartwarming video or picture of your rescue pet that you would like to share? Email them to life@newsweek.com, along with some details about your best friend, for a chance to have them featured in our Pet of the Week lineup.
