Many cats live a tough life on the streets of New York City, but the story of Morpheus, a striking long-haired ginger feline, took a heartwarming turn when he found people who would change his life forever.

Morpheus, as they named him, had been wandering the streets for a long time, hungry and sleeping on leaves. 

Luckily, kind-hearted folks from the neighborhood discovered him and did what they could to help. They provided him with food and water, but it was evident that Morpheus needed medical attention. 

Even though Morpheus was shy and uncomfortable around people, he didn’t even try to run away, knowing he needed their help.

His compassionate rescuers reached out to Little Wanderers in New York City and the next moment, Morpheus was finally saved from the streets, waiting for a foster home.

Upon arriving at the shelter, Morpheus received immediate medical care. Vets estimated his age to be around six years old. 

Unfortunately, he had several health issues, including a condition known as eyelid entropion, which prevented him from opening his eyes normally. Little Wanderers NYC team shared:

“He was born with a condition called eyelid entropion in which part of his eyelid was folded towards his eyeball, in both eyes.”

This condition irritated the surface of both of his eyes, and the only possible treatment was ophthalmic surgery. Besides that, Morpheus was also FIV positive.

While no one knows how he survived all those years half-blind, Morpheus proved to be a fighter and was ready to enjoy a forever home.

His journey to a carefree life began when a dedicated foster volunteer took him in. For the first time in a long while, Morpheus found refuge in a safe place with a full belly and a happy heart.

While patiently waiting for his eye surgery, Morpheus was treated for other issues he dealt with, such as an upper respiratory infection. 

After undergoing surgery, Morpheus underwent a remarkable transformation. He emerged as a healthy, content, and relaxed kitty, shedding his former street cat demeanor. His foster carer said:

“After surgery and lots of vetting, he convalesced and made a great recovery. He looks like a different cat.”

Even though Morpheus was a street cat, he was very friendly with other cats in the house. Seeing them interact with people actually helped him gain more confidence and courage to do so, too. The foster carer added:

“He gets along with other cats and loves to seek them out. Morpheus is also really into wet food. It will be gone before you even blink.”

Months of hard work on his recovery and socialization paid off, and Morpheus was ready to find his forever home. He had undergone a complete transformation, becoming a fluffy love bug who adored head scratches and treats. His foster carer said:

“He is playful, gentle, and wants so desperately to be loved and fit in. He has come such a long way being inside.”

Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait long. A wonderful family fell in love with him and decided to adopt Morpheus, along with another former street cat named Keke.

In their new home, Morpheus and Keke initially hid under the couch for the first few weeks, a common behavior for cats adjusting to a new environment. But once they felt secure, they emerged from their hiding spots to explore their kingdom.

Monica, Morpheus’s adopter, described how he came out of his shell over time:

“One night, I woke up to the sounds of Morpheus having a midnight party (playing with toys). Week three started with Morpheus spending time on the couch instead of under it.”

He began to play with toys, claim the couch as his throne, interact with the resident cats, and follow his humans around the house.

The Little Wanderers NYC team couldn’t be happier for him, saying:

“Now he lives happily ever after. Instead of sleeping on leaves and trash, he sleeps on antique red couches and has become a very happy, chubby, mush ball.”

His new humans couldn’t choose a better furry companion for their family. Monica shared:

“I’m so grateful he was rescued, I can’t imagine him struggling to survive before his rescue and living in constant pain before his surgery. He is always playing like he doesn’t have a worry in the world, just what he deserves after such a painful beginning. Thank you to the long list of caring people along the way that helped him, healed him, and brought him home.”

If you wish to keep up with Morpheus and his friends living their worry-free lives, then make sure you follow their mom on Instagram.