Here’s a heartwarming story from Florida’s Treasure Coast. The real treasure, in this case, is the golden heart of a woman who walked into the Humane Society. If only we lived in a world where everyone did what she did that day!
An ‘Angel’ Walks into the Humane Society
On an ordinary Thursday, July 11, 2024, Brandy walked into the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast. Like most folks who visit, she was hoping to find a purrfect companion. But instead of taking the usual route of looking for a cute kitten, she had already made up her mind about the cat she would adopt that day.
“Who is your longest-term feline resident?” she asked the staff.
Brandy at the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast in Palm City, Florida. Images and media via Facebook.
Taken aback, they answered, “Leroy,” the handsome black kitty who had been there for precisely 500 days! Without hesitating, Brandy said,
“That’s the cat I want. And he will have the best life.”
See what happened in the video below:
Video via Facebook/Humane Society of the Treasure Coast
Leroy Was in Shelters Longer than 500 Days
In May, the shelter shared that Leroy had passed the one-year and three-month mark of waiting for a home. But before that, he had also spent time at another shelter for an unknown length of time. So, he had never known life outside a shelter despite being gentle, friendly, and handsome.
In a video from May, they showed how friendly and beautiful he is, hoping someone would see him and open their hearts and homes to him. But nobody came until the day Brandy walked in.
“This is just too long for a loving kitty to be without a home. Leroy loves to be held, loves to snack, and is friendly with people of all ages,” they explained.
Video via Facebook/Humane Society of the Treasure Coast
Leroy Adjusts to Life in His Furever Home
In an update, Brandy shared how Leroy is doing in his purrmanent loving home!
“Leeroy is adjusting to his new space pretty well. He has been enjoying naps on his new comfy couch, taking lots of opportunities to stretch his legs and receiving lots of affection,” she shared. “He snuggled along my spine today as we napped together on the couch. I’d say that’s a good sign he wants to keep me. I will spoil him and make sure he is happy and healthy.”
Image via Facebook/Brandy Weinand
In response, almost a hundred people showered her with praise for giving this cat the home he deserves.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for adopting this precious little one. It’s a big change for him, after being in a facility for so long. But it sounds like he already knows he can trust and depend on you,” said Cathy F.
Leroy was One of Five FeLV+ Cats at the Shelter
In November 2023, LeRoy was among five FeLV+ cats at the shelter. Including him, three of the cats had been waiting for homes for 10 months. Yet the shelter described them this way: “the most outgoing, sweetest cats you will ever meet. They love attention, love visitors and treats, and are super gentle with everyone they meet.”
“We’ve said it a thousand times – FeLV is NOT SCARY!” they shared.
People often don’t know what it means, but it only affects other cats through prolonged saliva contact. Therefore, the shelter recommended the home should have only other FeLV+ cats, although it’s not easy to spread. There’s also a vaccine most kittens get at 8-12 weeks old, which makes it highly unlikely they’ll be infected.
“They are always overlooked because people are scared of FeLV and may not fully understand what it is,” the Humane Society shared.
Image of Leroy via Facebook/Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, October, 2023
The Facts on FeLV Aren’t Scary
FeLV is the Feline Leukemia Virus, and FIV is the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. (Marmalade is FIV+.) While cats with FIV can live long, healthy lives, cats with FeLV tend to have a shortened lifespan. It varies by the individual, but they tend to average 2.5 years after diagnosis. During that time they can have happy normal lives.
“FeLV+ cats have short lifespans (average 2.5 years after initial diagnosis, but this will vary). This is why it’s so important that they are adopted into loving homes and don’t spend their entire short lives in a shelter,” shared the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.
“Golden Boy, Dusty, Leroy, Leo and Castiel should not have to spend their entire lives in a shelter. They are just as deserving, loving and worthy as all of our other kitties,” the shelter wrote.
You can see more on Facebook, Instagram, and the Humane Society’s website. They are currently celebrating Christmas in July at the time of this writing. All dog and cat adoptions over one-year-old have a reduced cost.
