A 78-year-old grandfather from New York has found a new companion after adopting a cat that had been at a local shelter for months. The man, known as Grandpa John, moved from Florida to be closer to his family but was living alone following his divorce.
He asked his daughter, Jennifer, 44, to take him to the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) shelter, where he specifically requested to adopt the cat that had been there the longest. The cat, named Tina Marie, had arrived at the shelter after her previous owner was admitted to hospital for long-term care.
Jennifer said her father had not had a pet since their childhood animals passed away, but he felt it was the right time. She explained that her father is starting to develop dementia and that having a pet would give him a sense of purpose. The shelter staff noted that Tina Marie was timid and required a home without other animals or children, making Grandpa John's home ideal.
Jennifer captured the moment they met on video, which shows Tina Marie slowly warming up to her new owner. Within hours, the cat was napping on the couch with him. The video has since garnered thousands of comments on TikTok, with many users saying both have 'hit the jackpot'.
