After Six Months In A Pennsylvania Shelter, Black Cat Finally Finds Forever Home
I’ve never paid much attention to a cat’s coat color or pattern, and I’ve certainly never believed in old superstitions.
Over the years, my family has shared lives with several black cats, and honestly, some of them became even better companions than our purebred calicos.
Every one of our cats was loved and cared for equally, regardless of appearance. And those so-called “spooky” black cat stories? They’ve never held true in our home.
I’ve heard them all, from witches’ familiars to the idea that a black cat crossing your path means bad luck. To me, it’s pure nonsense. Unfortunately, those myths still keep many people from adopting black cats, leaving them to wait far too long in shelters.
That was the case for Manny, a striking black cat who spent months—possibly more than half a year—waiting for someone to take him home.
Everything changed when a kind-hearted woman named Nikki walked through the door.
No one knows for sure if Manny had always been an outdoor cat or if he was abandoned before ending up at the shelter. As Nikki explains in a video:
“He was in the county animal shelter for a while and then he was in Kitty Cottage for I think another six months at least before we met him.”
When Nikki first met Manny, she was surprised at how gentle and affectionate he was. He welcomed her attention, rolled over for belly rubs, and purred happily.
“He was asleep and when he opened his big green eyes I was like ‘oh I’m in love’ and it’s been perfection every day since then!”
In a video of their meeting, Manny comes across as a sweet, well-adjusted cat who thrives on human attention. He’s not only affectionate—he’s clever, too. Manny knows his own name and even recognises certain words, especially when they involve food.
Nikki laughs about one of his quirks:
“If he wants a treat, there’s a very specific meow that he’ll give me. The meow sounds like ‘yeah, yeah’.”
At one point in the video, you can hear it for yourself—and it really does sound like “yeah, yeah.” Manny might just be one of the smartest cats around.
Despite all those long months in the shelter, he’s proven to be nothing but loving and good-natured. The fact that the shelter staff cared for him until the right person came along made all the difference.
Now, Manny’s life is everything it should be: full of cuddles, playtime, and tasty treats. He and Nikki share a close bond, and their happiness together is easy to see.
Nikki even writes playful social media posts from Manny’s perspective.
“Here I am at my pawesome tunnel,” one reads, followed by a cheerful “Paws up!”
Manny has a special love for toys, and Nikki makes playtime even more fun by mixing in Halloween-themed ones. It’s clear he’s adored and thriving in his new home.
After everything Manny went through, it’s heartwarming to know his story has a happy ending. Sometimes the wait is long, but when the right person comes along, it all makes sense. For Manny and Nikki, it was worth every moment.
