It’s a heartwarming story of a senior cat and the woman who gave her a second chance at life. Kiki, a tuxedo cat diagnosed with feline leukemia, found an unlikely adopter who saw past her medical condition and welcomed her with open arms.
In a now-viral TikTok video, the cat’s owner, known as glamanda, can be seen gently singing “Stand by Me” to Kiki as the feline nuzzles and rubs her face affectionately against her new caretaker. The caption reads, “POV you adopted the terminally ill cat that no one else wanted and she shows you gratitude every day for it.”
Prior to meeting Kiki, the owner had visited multiple shelters, hoping to find a connection with a cat to take home. When she encountered Kiki, the shelter warned that the cat had feline leukemia and likely had less than a year to live. Despite the grim prognosis, the connection between the woman and Kiki was undeniable, and she decided to adopt her anyway.
To the owner’s delight, a subsequent visit to the vet revealed that the shelter had only conducted an exposure test, and Kiki did not actually have leukemia. This meant the senior cat had a chance at a longer, healthier life with her new loving companion.
Feline leukemia is a common infectious disease in cats, affecting 2-3% of the feline population in the United States and Canada. Sadly, many cats with this diagnosis struggle to find forever homes, as potential adopters may be deterred by the medical condition and short life expectancy.
This story serves as a heartwarming reminder that sometimes, the most rewarding relationships come from unexpected places. Kiki’s daily displays of affection and gratitude towards her new owner illustrate the profound impact that a simple act of compassion can have on a life in need.
The viral video has resonated with TikTok users, with one commenter sharing, “My terminally ill cat lived 12 more years, I pray this for your baby.” Another noted, “Cats love singing! The vibrating is like purring, so it’s like you’re speaking their love language.”
As the number of pets entering shelters continues to rise, stories like Kiki’s serve as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of adoption and the unconditional love that our feline companions can offer, regardless of their circumstances.
