Dogs are well-known for their loyalty and companionship, but cats are not far behind in forming deep bonds with their owners. Cats can be equally loyal, and their devotion knows no bounds!

This loyal cat walked 12 miles to reunite with his family that actually abandoned him. But let’s rewind and hear the backstory of Toby. 

Toby Was Once A Stray…

Toby, a charming yellow-white cat, once roamed the streets as a stray in search of both sustenance and affection. One fateful day, he found himself on a family’s doorstep, and they were more than willing to lend a helping hand.

However, Toby’s integration with the family’s existing cats proved challenging, and they decided it might be best for him to find a new home. 

So, initially, he was set up with a new family to begin his new life away from the cold streets, but he didn’t feel like it. 

Toby, however, had other plans in mind. He yearned to return to the family that had once opened their door to him during his stray days. He simply wasn’t ready for a new home, he wanted his rescue family, but they didn’t want him. 

Toby’s Loyalty Almost Cost Him His Life

Toby’s loyalty drove him to embark on a 12-mile journey back to his original home, despite the odds stacked against him. Unfortunately, his reunion with the family wasn’t the warm embrace he had hoped for. 

Instead, they made the heartbreaking decision to take Toby to a local shelter to have euthanized. 

Tara Lynn, communications director for the SPCA of Wake County, recalls:

“They took him to a shelter and asked them to euthanize him. It was just so heartbreaking to know he made it all the way back to his family, and that was their response.”

However, the shelter staff couldn’t bear to carry out such a heart-wrenching act. 

The Shelter’s Compassion

Toby’s story touched their hearts deeply. He was healthy, friendly, and full of life, so they reached out to the SPCA of Wake County for assistance.

They responded right away and made sure Toby got all the necessary veterinary care he needed, so they could begin the process of finding him a fur-ever home. Unfortunately, Toby was FIV positive, as Lynn exclaimed:

“He tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus and also had an upper respiratory infection. We got him treated for the infection, which took a little while.”

Toby’s journey towards a better life began at the SPCA, where he received the medical care he needed. Despite the medical conditions, he was still a sweetheart from the beginning. He soon adapted to life with the SPCA staff and other resident cats.

He is a calm, affectionate, and cuddly cat, friendly with people and other cats. From the beginning, he showed affection and friendliness towards the SPCA’s staff, but he needed some time to adjust to other resident cats.

“Initially, the seven-year-old FIV-positive kitty wasn’t very excited about sharing a room with other cats, but he quickly became a volunteer favorite.”

Once Toby was fully healed and ready to find his forever home, the SPCA shared his photo on social media. The response was overwhelming, with phones ringing off the hook.

The phone rang non-stop and people were lining up to adopt sweet Toby. However, one person stood out the most, and she rushed to the shelter to meet her future fur-ever friend. 

Finding A Forever Home

Michele Puckett of Raleigh, NC came over to see if she’d be a good fit for Toby, and their friendship blossomed instantly.

Lynn proudly explains how Michele abandoned everything and rushed to the shelter:

“She had no hesitation whatsoever. She was on a job site and just dropped everything to come here.”

Today, Toby enjoys a healthy and joyful life with two human parents and two feline friends. Michele, Toby’s new owner, couldn’t be happier to have him in her life.

“He is just so sweet, cuddly, and loving. He’s also pretty much taken over our bed as if he’s lived here forever. He loves to relax and lay under our pillows.”

Toby finally has a family that loves him and is happy to have him. He is safe and loved in his new home. They welcomed him and gladly took the role of his caregivers. It is heartwarming to see how little it takes to save a cat’s life. 

Michele couldn’t believe the circumstances this sweet boy found himself in:

“It’s really hard to understand how someone could have dropped him off to be put to death like they did. It’s shocking, but we feel so grateful he was saved.”

Toby’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of giving older cats and animals in challenging situations a second chance at life. Michele and her husband hope Toby’s story encourages others to adopt and save animals in need.

“There are tons of pets who are easily discarded by their families or a breeder. I really hope he inspires other people to go out and adopt.”

Michele’s wish somewhat came true, because Toby’s story went viral on social media and was shared by several media outlets. 

Raising Awareness About Animals In Need

The SPCA did their best to share Toby’s story, and others just joined in. As soon as they wrote about Toby’s story:

“His post received a lot of response, but it wasn’t until he was adopted that his story really took off on social media and has now been seen all around the globe.”

Toby’s story truly is heart-wrenching, and we hope that it will enlighten others to think twice about their actions and to do their best to help animals in need.

It spread like wildfire on social media, drawing attention to the significance of compassion for animals in distress. Toby’s story is a testament to the difference a kind heart and a helping hand can make.

We’re happy that Toby has found his fur-ever family and that he has so many fans following his journey and rooting for him. 

This is Toby at the shelter, before his adoption:

Let’s celebrate Toby’s journey to happiness and share his story with friends. Remember, even if we can’t personally assist an animal in need, we can always raise awareness, because there’s always someone out there willing to help.

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