Days before 2022 drew to a close, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, animal shelter assured the owner of an elderly, blind and deaf cat, that their former pet was safe. On December 29, ACCT Philly shared a photo of L’il Mama and the heartbreaking note that her owner included with her cat carrier that was left outside of a shelter.
The animal welfare agency said:
To the person who previously cared for Lil Mama and wrote this note to help her get her medicine, and attached it to the carrier she was left in outside of a shelter, we want to let you know that we have her and she is safe.
Though L’il Mama was abandoned, it was clear that her former owner loved her. Not only did the person include the senior cat’s name, but they outlined the health conditions that ultimately made caring for her financially impossible for them. The agency said:
It is clear you loved her very much to have written down everything she needed in this letter, and are facing several very difficult hardships Thanks to your note, we know that Lil Mama is a 17 year old who is blind and deaf but is also suffering from hyperthyroidism, kidney disease and anemia, and we know her name.
The shelter staff quickly fell in love with L’il Mama and posted her information to social media with the hope that it would reach her prior owner. The agency assured the person that the cat was receiving medical attention and that they were searching for a rescue group or adoptive home capable of giving her the care she needs for the remainder of her life.
An update to the original posting indicates that L’il Mama has been placed with a rescue organization:
We’re happy to share that one of our fabulous rescue partners, City of Elderly Love: Save a Senior Pet, is taking Lil Mama into their care. To her owners, please know COEL is a wonderful group and if you reach out to us we are happy to put you in touch with them.
ACCT Philly’s post resonated with thousands of people, who left nearly 500 comments and shared it 1.4k times.
The agency used this situation to remind pet owners that there are options available, aside from surrendering during hard times:
We hope this posts reunites them, and also spreads the word about alternatives to surrendering that people may not be aware of. If you’re considering surrendering your pet, please don’t wait until it is an emergency to start looking for resources.
You can privately rehome your pet through Adopt a Pet here.
