
‘Confused’ 20-Year-Old Cat’s First Night in New Home Has People in Tears
Sadly, there are times when companion animal caregivers are no longer able to care for their beloved fur family members. Many of them end up in shelters. Sometimes, they are dumped into the community; this of course is unconscionable. But 20-year-old Grandpa Morrie meets Christina Ha, a New York woman who has decided to turn her attention to senior cats who need love but are often overlooked because of their age. It’s a heart warming rescue story, and if you are able to take in senior companion animals, bless your heart for doing so! (NOTE: this article originally posted on Newsweek uses the word owner. All animals are God’s – He owns the animals. We prefer to use the phrase companion animals, fur family members, or other such words that personify them as living beings, not human property)
[Creation Care Church does not necessarily agree with all the points of view of showcased content creators.]
A
fter years of fostering neonatal kittens that required medical care, one New York woman has decided to turn her attention to senior cats that need love but are often overlooked because of their age.
Over the years, Christina Ha has found it extremely rewarding to take in critical care kittens, but last year she noticed how many senior cats were winding up in shelters. So rather than hoping someone else would take them in, she chose to do it herself.
“A lot of these senior animals end up needing to be re-homed for reasons that are no fault of their own and it’s devastating to imagine what their family must be going through. Knowing that I could do this small thing for them is the type of good I want to put out into the world,” Ha told Newsweek.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says 3.2 million cats enter shelters across the country each year. While it’s thought that 2.1 million of them get adopted, about 530,000 shelter cases face being euthanized each year because of the widespread lack of facilities.

Up until recently, Ha had taken in three senior cats to provide them with the love they deserve, but her fourth adoption led to one of her most moving experiences to date. In October, she received an email about a 20-year-old cat that was surrendered because his owner had become too sick to care for him. Ha said she “fell in love right away.”
She went to meet the cat the following day, and after discussing it with her husband, they were ready to adopt their oldest cat, whom they’ve named Grandpa Morrie.
Ha shared details about the senior cat’s first night in his forever home. “When I first saw him at the shelter, he had a very confused look on his face. He seemed really unsure of what was going on, and the fact that he goes along with it is also a sign of what a good boy he is.
“Grandpa Morrie is in much better shape than you might expect for a 20-year-old,” Ha continued. “He may have early signs of kidney disease, he has dental disease and an ear infection, but we’re taking things one step at a time. Every day, he seems to be more comfortable, and I love watching the worry lines on his face smooth out.”
The senior cat was nervous during his first night in his new home, and he spent some time pacing around to take in his surroundings. But before long, he was able to settle down, and Ha says that he’s building a stronger bond with her with each day.
While she admits that it can be “a little intimidating” to take on a senior cat with health problems, Ha encourages people to consider offering their love and support to those who need it the most. “If you go one step at a time, one week at a time, it isn’t so overwhelming after all,” she said.
On Monday, Ha shared the story of Grandpa Morrie’s adoption on her TikTok account (@whiskstowhiskers), joking that he’s “20 years young.” The clip instantly went viral, with more than 149,800 views and 24,400 likes in only a matter of days.
“I purposely take cats with medical needs, but seeing how well they live beyond their diagnosis is inspiring,” Ha told Newsweek. “Their illnesses do not define them. I love that they’re at the stage of their lives where they just want to hang out on the couch. Kittens get the zoomies or are a lot more restless, but my old babies just love sleeping.
“You learn a lot about yourself from these seniors. We love our old babies. I think it’s just important for people to know that adopting a senior isn’t tragic at all. It’s beautiful in a very different way than adopting kittens, and I want people to see that,” she said.
Ha has loved sharing this experience on social media and showing how much of a life-changing act this can be, not only for the cat but for the owner too. She hopes to show people that adopting a senior doesn’t have to be a financial burden or a sad experience. There are so many who are in good shape but get overlooked because of their age.
The TikTok post has already received more than 900 comments, with many people praising Ha’s devotion to the senior cat, and some even shared their adoption experiences.
One comment reads: “Bless you for saving this cat that was surely treasured and beloved. I hope one day to do the same.”
Another wrote: “You can tell a lot about people by the kindness and care they show our most vulnerable.”
“He looks amazing for being 20, what a sweet baby,” another TikToker said.
Post a Comment