Senior Cat Survives Years On LA Streets And The Loss Of His Brother Before Finding Love
It’s tough to imagine how many cats live their entire lives on the streets. If I could, I’d scoop up every single one and make sure they were safe.
I know that’s not something I can do on my own, but thankfully, there are remarkable people who commit themselves fully to that mission.
One of those people is Jen, a rescuer in Los Angeles who has poured her heart into helping cats through her nonprofit, Del Gato Rescue.
Her work has given countless felines a fresh start, including a sweet senior named George, who finally got the loving home he had always been waiting for.
Life Full Of Heartbreak And Loss
A few months back, Jen got a concerned call from one of her fosters about an elderly cat in rough shape.
The cat was George, a white senior who had spent more than a decade roaming the streets of Los Angeles, surviving only thanks to the kindness of caring neighbors who looked out for him.
Through all those difficult years, George found comfort in the companionship of his brother, who rarely left his side.
Tragedy struck when George’s beloved brother was hit by a speeding car, leaving George heartbroken and alone.
Without his companion, he became even more vulnerable on the streets, but his journey wasn’t over yet.
The moment Jen learned of his situation, she knew she had to act. There was no way she could allow this gentle senior to continue struggling outside.
George deserved comfort and care in his golden years, and Jen was determined to give him the second chance he had long waited for.
George Revealing His Sweet Personality
When Jen and her team arrived at the given address, she was surprised by how friendly and approachable George was, especially for a street cat.
As she explained in an interview:
“We didn’t need to trap him at all. That’s how friendly he was! We were able to actually just pick him right up.”
The moment their eyes met, Jen could see the gratitude in George’s gaze. There was no fear or pain – just a spark of hope that seemed to say everything was about to get better.
When Jen spoke about George, she couldn’t stop praising his gentle nature. He was incredibly sweet and at ease with people, leading Jen to believe he must have once known life as an indoor cat.
His friendliness was remarkable, and he seemed overjoyed to finally be surrounded by humans who offered nothing but kindness and love.
Health-wise, George was far from well. Years of untreated flea infestations had left him with a severe allergic skin reaction, the result of constant scratching that his fragile body could no longer handle.
As a result, he had lost part of his ears and suffered from a chronic upper respiratory infection, making him sneeze constantly and causing him to stop eating for a while.
Despite the challenges, Jen wasn’t discouraged. She bravely faced all of George’s health issues and got to work helping him. As she explained:
“We got him antibiotic injections, steroid injections. We did oral antibiotics and pain medication. He also had rotting teeth that were falling out of his mouth, so we had those removed. We did laser therapy to help with the inflammation and to decrease the pain.”
But above all, the most powerful medicine George received was pure love!
As the days passed, George’s condition steadily improved. He continued to show everyone just how sweet and lovable he truly was.
Not once did he show any interest in going back outside!
He was completely content being an indoor cat, enjoying delicious meals and snuggling with his humans while listening to soothing music – just like the perfect house cat!
George’s Happily Ever After
George’s condition improved dramatically, and he no longer needed the emergency care provided by Jen and her team.
He was then taken in by an amazing foster mom, Jadyn, who showered him with love and care.
Today, George is the happiest he’s ever been!
When Jen was asked what she would say to George if he could understand her, she replied:
“If I could tell George anything, I would say that we’re sorry that nobody came to his rescue sooner, but that he is now safe and cherished and he will be for the rest of his life.”
It brings so much joy to know that George finally got the happy ending he always deserved.
Every cat should have the chance to be loved and cared for, and his story is a beautiful reminder of that.
May George’s journey inspire more people to open their homes and hearts to strays who are still waiting for their second chance.
