Kittens and puppies are usually the first to get adopted from animal shelters. However, one woman decided to take a chance on an older cat and 12 years later, the feline is still living her best life.
Lynn Pretorius first noticed the now-named Pebbles in 2012, along with her kittens, while visiting an animal shelter in Durban, South Africa. The Maine Coon was living at the shelter for six weeks. Pebbles grabbed her attention because of how long she was there and because of the connection she felt.
"Every time I visited the animal shelter, she was still there with her kitties," Pretorius told Newsweek via email. "When I talked to her, she talked back in her cat language. She is a very vocal cat."
When Pretorius returned at the six-week mark, she saw Pebbles' kittens had been all adopted. She saw how heartbroken Pebbles was sitting and waiting for her chance at a forever home. Pretorius learned the shelter wanted to euthanize Pebbles and immediately stepped in to save her.
"I believe God sent me there, at the right moment," she said. "I adopted her and named her Pebbles. Today, 12 years later, Pebbles is still with me, and next to God and my family, she is my dearest friend!"
After Pebbles found a home with Pretorius, the feline quickly leaned into her breed's loving, kind and sweet characteristics. Pretorius said Pebbles is also "super intelligent." While Pretorius gave Pebbles a forever home, it was Pebbles who brought so much joy to Pretorius' life.
It's as if Pebbles knew she was saved from euthanasia. Since being adopted in 2012, Pebbles has taken life by the horns and found joy in all that comes her way. Unlike many cats, Pebbles loves dogs. She's obsessed with the rain and loves exploring in water. Sometimes she'll drink from the tub instead of her water bowl.
"When I give her food, just before she starts eating, she makes a sound, which clearly sounds like, 'Wow!'" Pretorius said. "She truly is no ordinary cat!"
Her story even reached a few television shows—Daystar Christian Television and Cross Watch—where Pretorius shared the positive outcomes of adopting animals who are overlooked in shelters.
About 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters every year with nearly 3.2 million of those animals being cats, according to the ASPCA. Only about 2.1 million cats are adopted each year.
Meanwhile, the World Animal Foundation recently reported that over 81 percent of kittens in animal shelters are adopted in comparison to just 54 percent of senior cats.
"I would strongly encourage people to adopt adult cats from animal shelters," Pretorius said. "They are just as playful as small kittens. They deserve a good loving home!"
English (US) ·