After spending 232 long days waiting for a forever home, Sarina the cat’s life took a heartwarming turn when a video about her went viral, touching the hearts of millions.
It was a last-ditch effort to find her a home, and it worked beyond anyone’s expectations.
Sarina had come to the shelter in a rough condition. She was found in a bathtub with her kittens, all infested with fleas and in desperate need of help.
Her little ones found homes quickly, but Sarina remained in the shelter, unnoticed by many. Although she was sweet and affectionate, it wasn’t easy for people to see her loving personality.
She was a little shy and took some time to warm up, but the staff knew she deserved a chance to show the world how loving she truly was.
One of the workers, Hannah Burt, knew Sarina needed something special. She wasn’t just another black-and-white cat; she had her own charm and tenderness that shone through when given a little patience, as Burt shared in an interview:
“She’s a really lovely cat, really affectionate and sweet, but a little bit nervous to begin with… People meet cats like that and don’t always get to see their true personality because they need a little bit of time to learn to trust you.”
Burt also believed that Sarina took longer to find a home because she was seven years old with a black-and-white coat, while younger, ginger, and brown tabby cats tend to be more in demand.
So, the shelter staff decided to make a video of Sarina playing and cuddling, giving viewers a glimpse of the loving cat she really was, as Burt explained:
“We thought making the TikTok would be a good way of getting her out there, and having videos that showed what her personality was like, her being friendly – she’d sit on my lap every day and come for a cuddle.”
The video was more than just a call for adoption – it was a chance for Sarina to shine!
It captured her in her den, surrounded by heartfelt messages on the glass that told her story. Each note shared a piece of her journey, highlighting her long wait for a family and the love she had to offer:
“I’ve spent 232 days in RSPCA care. I came in with my four kittens. They found their home but I’m still waiting… Currently I have 0 adoption applications… Could you be the one to offer me my forever home?”
Little did anyone know, Sarina’s video would capture millions of hearts, as Burt shared:
“We honestly weren’t expecting it to reach that many people or go viral… It worked really well.”
People all over the world fell in love with Sarina’s sweet face and the story of her long wait for a home. In no time, her video went viral, gaining an overwhelming 1.6 million views and 140,000 likes!
It wasn’t long before Sarina found her perfect match – a kind woman who offered her the home she had been dreaming of. Just two weeks after the video was posted, Sarina’s only wish was fulfilled and her journey came full circle.
Burt, who had formed a special bond with Sarina, was so happy to see her finally found the home she deserved, sharing:
“We were all absolutely overjoyed. It’s quite emotional, I had a real soft spot for her so we’re all absolutely chuffed.”
Sarina’s story had finally found its happy ending, and the shelter staff couldn’t be happier for the gentle cat they’d all come to love.
For them, there’s no greater reward than finding a pet a home and connecting them with a family who will truly see them for who they are and love them unconditionally, as Burt added:
“It’s a really nice feeling because you get to know them really well when they’re here for a while and obviously the end goal is always to find them their forever home, so it’s really great.”
Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of patience, love, and a little viral magic to turn a dream into reality!
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