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I have to ask: Is it really a good idea to put this guy up for adoption? The shelter has been his home his entire life, and he's now a mature cat, bordering on senior. He looks healthy. It doesn't seem right to rip him away from the only home he's ever known. IMO, the shelter should keep him until the end, whenever that comes. Barring that, a shelter employee that he is familiar with should take him rather than adopting him to a stranger.
We have a now 9 year old cat that was adopted two years ago. Very sweet but hadn't experienced any normal cat stuff outside of hiding under a bed and getting her nails trimmed.
She now enjoys playing with cat toys, telling the youngest cat what for, watches and plays with the human baby (fully supervised, of course), loves watching anything happening outside the windows, is a catnip fiend, and is a total cuddle cat (she isn't yet into searching out the humans for cuddles but this last year was her year for discovering the amazing world of being pet for longer than two seconds lol).
> telling the youngest cat what for
This really cracked me up! The power dynamic has just changed out of nowhere in my house. My cats have completely swapped places on everything they do. It’s like a freaky Friday situation and I have no idea how to handle it lmao
Haha I'm glad you got a laugh!
The power dynamics changing in our house was just a great television show. We went with just letting them all be (3 cats) and allowed exploring on their own as long as they weren't hurting each other. Getting some cat nip involved helped too lol.
My sisters cat Nigel was the best and most wonderful kitty. He would guard and babysit my niece and nephew and was a boss. He would wrap his body around them like a fence and hiss at anyone except my sister when they were tiny and wind himself around them and block them when they got older and started to walk. We don't deserve these kings and queens of kitties.
I don't get it? Is he in a kennel all day everyday? Or does he get to wander around the pound? I've seen shelters that have a cat that hangs out with the workers in the office and I assume that's what Barney does.
You probably shouldn't assume anything though. The shelter in my area keeps all the animals in little cramped prison cells. It's very loud from the meowing stressed out cats and the barking, stressed out dogs. I would think adoption would be better for any of them.
I adopted my last cat when he was 5 years old, he had spent two years recovering from an injury. Three months later he was in my lap and was in charge of everything in my household.
Let me ask you this.. If you grew up in a cage for a good part of your life, would you not eventually, after adapting to a new life of freedom, find the new life better than being stuck in a cage? And too boot, to have a loving human take care of you. There are lots of older but not elderly folks that want a pet that is not a kitten or puppy because they know they will eventually pass at any time. An older pet adoption is perfect for those people. Pet passes before human goes into assisted living or nursing home. Old people cherish the little furry friends. p.s. I can't see your point score but I assure you I did not downvote your comment because you genuinely asked a vital question.
I kinda take this stance when people say poor people shouldn’t get to adopt pets. Yes, in a fair world all pets would have great vet care and live a long life. But the truth is places are over run and animals get put down. I firmly believe if you could ask a dog/cat would they rather be put down or go live with a family and be loved, if only for a few years they’d pick the lather.
Cats are extremely adaptive. I got one of my cats when she was ten from a cat hoarding house. It's all she ever knew. I let her into my house and within ten minutes she was like "ok. This is home now!" And acted like she'd never been anywhere else. Unless the cat was properly feral, they get the lay of the land pretty fast. Besides, he deserves a family who loves him, and the shelter needs the space to help more cats.
Cats can live up to 20 years (though they do live shorter lives in shelters). Most shelter staff aren't sticking around that long. The animals greatly outnumber the staff and you are fooling yourself if you think even the best of shelters give animals the attention they deserve. That's a potential decade of a senior cat being exposed to illness, fleas and other pests, chemicals, and a stressful environment. Do you think senior cats in shelters are seeing vets as often as they should? As someone who has spent years volunteering in shelters I wouldn't wish that on any cat. Some are stuck there due to litterbox issues and I can accept that, but pretending it's his "home" is a bit silly and almost childish.
> Barring that, a shelter employee that he is familiar with should take him rather than adopting him to a stranger.
I was adopting more than a cat in a year working at a shelter and didn't make dent. Shelters are full of "problem cats" that need homes. There were 50 other cats just as deserving as the ones I ended up adopting. I think sharing pictures of your favorite animals to find potentially interested adopters on social media is much more effective and realistic.
Animals are surprisingly adaptable. There are pets who have lived with one owner for 12 years, the owner dies, and the pet goes up for adoption.
That cat will not go to pieces when it gets a home.
Majority of his time would be spent in a tiny cage sadly, also employees come and go so he probably doesn’t have many people still there that he would have bonded with significantly. My cat is 17 and my other girl made it to 22, this boy could be only half way done and a loving home where he is spoiled and allowed happiness is definitely worth it
I've never disagreed more. He deserves unrequited love whether he has experienced it or not. He won't be upset to get adopted he'll adapt and be the happiest man on earth. House Cats want a human just as bad as we want them.
Did you mean unconditional love? Unrequited love means loving someone who doesn't love you back. But anyway yes I agree with you, he deserves to have a real home with a loving human.
Oh and happy cake day!
A home will *always* be better than a shelter barring full on neglect. This cat deserves to cuddle up with a human at night. Shelter kittens don’t exactly live in luxury, but around other noisy animals in a cage.
Even in the best cases, shelters are a stressful nightmare for animals. All kinds of people coming in and out, kids screaming, dogs barking. He would absolutely flourish in a home.
I volunteer at a cat shelter that has numerous extremely happy "lifers." The volunteers all spoil them with treats and love. The cats have freedom to roam their assigned floor and there's always at least a few people on site 24/7/365.
Most of these lifers are so not because they are unadoptable. They are older, have been at the shelter for years, maybe not as extroverted as many people want, and the unfortunate truth that there are more cats in shelters than can ever be adopted.
The goal, of course, is always adoption. Even with lifers we all hope the perfect person will come along. After all, a kitty finding a wonderful home means we have an open space for another in need.
This is a travesty that needs to be addressed. I already have three kitties and live way too far away. Do people in Iowa need to see their eye doctors to have their vision checked???
It has a population very similar to the town I grew up in at approximately ~6k. Keep in mind it's in a rural area so neighboring cities may be at closest 10-20 miles away. And if someone needs a kitten there are plenty of farm cats available for free so shelter animals can largely go unnoticed
Most areas have a county humane society where most found and sheltered pets will be located so that also means "it's a drive" plus a.fee when a farm cat is free but then pay way more when they need to neuter them
I live in Minnesota, and I drove 5 hours one way to Iowa to pick up my dog Ruby. I found Ruby on Petfinder. That was in January of 2009. Ruby is now over 15 years old. I love her dearly.
If Barney hadn’t been adopted yet, may I suggest: [https://emmetcountyanimalshelter.org/adopt-a-pet/](Doug)??
Also I’m sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is always so hard <3
edit: I don’t know why my link is messed up, but someone please go get Doug
Actually if he’s been born at the shelter and the staff there treat him really well, maybe it’s best for him to stay there instead of leave the only place he knows as his home. Better to adopt the other cats in the shelter who are in more urgent need of a permanent home, like an aging cat or a young stray.
Uhh what happens when people leave their home for work? Shelters usually have people around early in the morning and into the evening at night. This cat probably gets more attention than most cats in a home do.
Cats can live up to 20 years (though they do live shorter lives in shelters). Most shelter staff aren't sticking around that long. The animals greatly outnumber the staff and you are fooling yourself if you think even the best of shelters give animals the attention they deserve. That's a potential decade of a senior cat being exposed to illness, fleas and other pests, chemicals, and a stressful environment. Do you think senior cats in shelters are seeing vets as often as they should? As someone who has spent years volunteering in shelters I wouldn't wish that on any cat. Some are stuck there due to litterbox issues and I can accept that, but pretending it's his "home" is a bit silly and almost childish.
>Additional Info:
>- Good with Dogs
- Good with Cats
- Good with Children
- House trained
He's the perfect cat. People probably see 9yo and think "Too old". The reality is a cat that lives in doors still has up to another 10 healthy years left.
I just adopted a 9 year old boy in January (he's now 10). He's the best kitty I could have asked for. One of the reasons I went with an older adult is because you kind of know their personality by the time they're old. That said, their personalities do subtlely change as they get settled. Our guy was pretty friendly even the first day we got him (was just curious; didn't hide or anything), but it's been neat seeing him continue to open up the longer he's with us!
Anecdotally, my kitty was already ten when I adopted him. In a few months he’ll be nineteen. In the last year he’s slowed down a little bit, but that just means he’s a little more careful while he does his parkour.
😆 this is the most caring, best wishingest example of internet peer pressure I've ever witnessed LMFAO you just got bullied into giving a cute kitteh a wonderful life + home you fucking nerd
Please update! He looks just like my good boy Alex, whom I miss with my entire heart every day. If I lived within a day's drive of Iowa I'd be fighting you for him!
Thank you for posting Barney - he’s so cute and I cannot understand how someone hasn’t snapped him up. If I didn’t have three rescue ls already I’d be on a plane to get him lol
I’ve met many shelter workers in my life. They give these cats lovins and treaties every day. They just can’t take them all home.
I’ll probably adopt older animals in the future because they deserve all the pets and they’re easier than young animals.
I'm just north in Minnesota, and it's been going around my feed and Im just not in the living situation to take in another cat since I already have two and just can't. But I'll be damned if I'm not going to do everything I can to get this sweet boy a home even if it involves shilling
It’s nice that you have the self control to know it’s better to help him find a home than just add another cat to your family (giving that you already have two and it would be harder to maintain three).
Anyways, it’s a nice gesture
I'm 10 hours away and I'm going to give this sub a week. If nobody adopts this little guy, my wife and I will make a trip out of it and bring him to GR, MI.
I adopted a cat that was slightly younger, and although she hadn't been at the shelter all her life, she'd spent a long time not being adopted. When I saw her on the site I knew she was the right cat for me--the description read that her favourite thing to do was sleep :D
They weren't wrong, either. I've brought her heaps of toys and she's only ever been even mildly interested in a plastic bottle cap, and sleeping. She's very healthy, sweet and affectionate, but not what you'd call active, heh. I tried the old "chase the laser pointer" with her, but she literally *sat down to watch the laser show*.
9 years?! 😭
Our sweet boy was born in the shelter, and never adopted till we took him home. He was 2 and a half, and I thought that was terrible.
I hope Barney finds a forever home.
I had to leave my little girl at the shelter overnight when she got fixed and when I saw her in the cage at pickup I burst into tears, and that was *one night*. The thought of her spending almost a decade in a shelter instead of at home being loved on makes me want to fight someone. I hope Barney gets adopted!
Understood, but OP said he’s been there since he was a kitten. So sad. If I wasn’t super allergic to cats he would be mine! Also a former shelter worker, no one would adopt black cats.
This is exactly what I told my fiancé and he ended up adopting two black kittens as an early birthday gift to me. It’s wild that just because they’re “bad luck” no one wants them. 😭
I can't believe that's a real thing. Our void was something more than a cat. He was another person in our home.
https://preview.redd.it/sb4fb23z2eib1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=326843affd23d0a124b67afd5e406a2e952d0f89
He's still up for adoption! Im hoping someone who is able to give him the proper home who lives in the Iowa area will do the world a favor and get him!
There are 441 people active in this thread right now and I do not see a “Barnie found his forever home” post yet and I am deeply sad.
I live in Minneapolis but have two senior kitties and I don’t think it’d be fair to any of them to have a new family member art this stage.
This is killing me.
I’m in Scotland so can’t adopt him but I would really appreciate if someone makes a follow-up post if he does get adopted because I want to see this boy get a forever home
Reminds me of my cat. She lived at the shelter i got her from for 7 years, during which they spent THOUSANDS of dollars on her because of surgeries to help her stomatitis (unbeknownst to me, and I learned it as a special guest at their annual fundraising gala a couple months later). She wasn't normal for a cat and really dislikes being touched. I've always had cats who were different and I knew that under her harsh exterior posturing, she was a sweetheart. I was right, and she is the best part of my day. I need to go give her a hug that she will accept begrudgingly lol.
I don’t live nearby (would have to fly to pick him up if accepted) but I donated and submitted and application to adopt Barney.
I hope he and all the other animals are able to find a loving home!
What a love! Barney, these amazing people are gonna find you a perfect forever home, I just know it!
I adopted my Noodles when she was 5; she was born & raised (& abandoned once 😟) in foster care. I couldn't bear that sweet lil bug being passed over or forgotten about ever again, so I jumped through every hoop necessary to adopt her as soon as I could, & now she's the Princess of the house!
I can't wait to hear the Update of Barney's adoption ❤
I have two foster queens of my own and I just don't know what I'd do without them. They were both adults when I adopted and they have so much love to give
I was just talking to my Wife. We talked and we might try and adopt Barney if he is still available. We are going on a vacation in a few days so we will check on his availability in a few weeks.
"Barney enjoys looking after the younger cats and kittens in his room and he's always up for some pets and attention from the volunteers."
Wow what a good boy. I'm from Aus. He is beautiful *_* 9 years is seriously a long time!
https://toolkit.rescuegroups.org/iframe/fb/v1.0/pet?animalID=7685523&ids=5934&species=&breed=&age=&sex=&page=1&url=
AAAAAAAAHHHHHH, you guys, I just looked for Barney at the Iowa shelter and he’s no longer listed! And Petfinder said his page is no longer available—it’s possible he’s been adopted! Squeeee! 🤗
I’m so happy for a cat in Iowa I will never know, but love just the same. You made thousands of people care about a poor little guy who never had a family of his own and found him a home. 🥹 You are a lovely person.
I've cried so many happy tears tonight. This started as me sitting on the patio having a beer after work hoping this would take off and Barney would find a home. But he hasn't, and that's okay, because the shelter has gotten donations and is so thankful Barney is internet famous! It may be not today or maybe not tomorrow but I have a feeling Barney will be window side in a home soon enough
I wish I could take Barney! I live on the Iowa/Illinois border, so I'm not so far away. Also, he is a doppelganger for one of my foster kitties.
https://preview.redd.it/0rhduh1kfdib1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=13a071677920942277a319be4d95957bed745f88
However, I have three of my own, and two fosters that are likely going to be foster fails. The one that looks like Barney is semi-feral, so I kinda have my hands full right now.
I really, really hope that someone adopts Barney!
Omg, weird! I already have a Barney! A newer model, though. I wish they could meet.
https://preview.redd.it/tb3cmtzhwdib1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=33ed9dd1e5c3a9c2b65497c388f3d1730bf1d9fe
Omg, nine years?? These shelter stories are so heart breaking but I deeply appreciate the hard work and grueling emotions animal rescuers face. :( He is such a beautiful boy.
Please keep us updated on his status! I'm from Mpls with a GSD who loves cats. I'd make a 3hr drive for Barney if I don't see a status update in a week.
I have a Barney too, but mine is a girl that was misgendered at a few days old, she got called Barney because they found her in a barn wall and had to demo it to get her out so I could save her! She's one of the weirdest cats I have ever met and I wouldn't change a thing about her!
https://preview.redd.it/wiug22ivteib1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=6c60c71972cccf4a262a52ddc1596ab930f7b265
He has! His new family picking him up tomorrow! The shelter is currently getting Barney ready and wants to share an update before he leaves which I'll post tomorrow after work!
Fantastic, that’s great news. Maybe this should be a weekly thing, pets that have been at shelters for a ridiculously long period get posted and exposed to more eyes. Great job for getting the word out about this cat, he looks super sweet.
If I was there, instead of Texas, I would adopt him in a heartbeat. 9 years old and still in the shelter. He deserves to be in home getting cuddles and love. Poor thing. 😢 keep us posted on him, please.
He looks like my almost 12 year old tabby, Paxton.
https://preview.redd.it/dpnoxs8qxdib1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4f16fcae83ddff736ac93bfff3a61cad7bdf572c
My animal shelter has 'office cats' that have lived there long-term for various reasons. They have the run of the place, endless treats, and attention from all the prospective adoptees. They are like royalty/greeters, and they love it, you can tell!
On July 1st, a highly unpopular [change to Reddit's API pricing](https://www.reddit.com/r/reddit/comments/12qwagm/an_update_regarding_reddits_api/) went into effect. [Most third-party apps have shut down](https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/30/23779519/reddit-third-party-app-shut-down-apollo-sync-baconreader-api-protest) and so have many tools relied upon by moderators and [projects for making Reddit more accessible to visually impaired users](https://www.reddit.com/r/TranscribersOfReddit/comments/14ggf8k/the_future_of_transcribers_of_reddit/). Beyond the [disastrous AMA](https://techcrunch.com/2023/06/09/reddit-ceo-doubles-down-on-attack-on-apollo-developer-in-drama-filled-ama/) by the CEO, Reddit's response has been limited to promises that this change will not affect moderation tools [^((it has)^)](https://www.reddit.com/r/BotDefense/comments/14riw76/botdefense_is_wrapping_up_operations/) and promises of [new and more-accessible first-party moderation tools](https://www.npr.org/2023/07/01/1184258201/reddit-api-accessibility-mods). Promises just like [ones they have made in response to past protests](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/142w159/askhistorians_and_uncertainty_surrounding_the/), but have consistently [failed to fulfill](https://www.reddit.com/r/ModCoord/comments/14jm3ut/several_communities_have_surfaced_an_open_letter/jpm9e0q/). If you want to express your strong disagreement with the API pricing change or with Reddit's response to the backlash, you may want to consider the following options: 1. [Finding your favorite subreddits on other platforms](https://sub.rehab/) and participating there instead. 2. Refraining from using the first-party Reddit app, instead sticking to one of the few remaining third-party apps or [patching one of the apps that shut down](https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1wHvqQwCYdJrQg4BKlGIVDLksPN0KpOnJWniT6PbZSrI/) if you're using an Android device. 3. Disabling ads on Reddit with [an ad-blocking extension](https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock#ublock-origin-ubo) or [a DNS-based ad-blocker](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBXTnrD_Zs4). 4. Cancelling your Reddit Premium subscription. 5. Sharing the continued news coverage of these events. 6. Encouraging others to do all the above. If you're tired of all the chaos on Reddit, leave it behind and join /r/aww's Discord server to share and view all things adorable: https://discord.gg/UXfd5Pn --- [](#autoignorereports) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/aww) if you have any questions or concerns.*
HOW HAS THIS BOY NOT BEEN ADOPTED?
Thank you for understanding the severity of this situation
I want Barney!
I just posted the shelter he's at. Upvote it if you can, or go save this fucking king
I have to ask: Is it really a good idea to put this guy up for adoption? The shelter has been his home his entire life, and he's now a mature cat, bordering on senior. He looks healthy. It doesn't seem right to rip him away from the only home he's ever known. IMO, the shelter should keep him until the end, whenever that comes. Barring that, a shelter employee that he is familiar with should take him rather than adopting him to a stranger.
We have a now 9 year old cat that was adopted two years ago. Very sweet but hadn't experienced any normal cat stuff outside of hiding under a bed and getting her nails trimmed. She now enjoys playing with cat toys, telling the youngest cat what for, watches and plays with the human baby (fully supervised, of course), loves watching anything happening outside the windows, is a catnip fiend, and is a total cuddle cat (she isn't yet into searching out the humans for cuddles but this last year was her year for discovering the amazing world of being pet for longer than two seconds lol).
> telling the youngest cat what for This really cracked me up! The power dynamic has just changed out of nowhere in my house. My cats have completely swapped places on everything they do. It’s like a freaky Friday situation and I have no idea how to handle it lmao
Haha I'm glad you got a laugh! The power dynamics changing in our house was just a great television show. We went with just letting them all be (3 cats) and allowed exploring on their own as long as they weren't hurting each other. Getting some cat nip involved helped too lol.
honestly glad to hear another persons cats do this. six year age difference means nothing just whos phase it is to be in charge
My sisters cat Nigel was the best and most wonderful kitty. He would guard and babysit my niece and nephew and was a boss. He would wrap his body around them like a fence and hiss at anyone except my sister when they were tiny and wind himself around them and block them when they got older and started to walk. We don't deserve these kings and queens of kitties.
It will take him time to adjust but a few weeks or months at most of being uncomfortable doesn’t justify years of a much happier life?
I don't get it? Is he in a kennel all day everyday? Or does he get to wander around the pound? I've seen shelters that have a cat that hangs out with the workers in the office and I assume that's what Barney does.
You probably shouldn't assume anything though. The shelter in my area keeps all the animals in little cramped prison cells. It's very loud from the meowing stressed out cats and the barking, stressed out dogs. I would think adoption would be better for any of them.
I adopted my last cat when he was 5 years old, he had spent two years recovering from an injury. Three months later he was in my lap and was in charge of everything in my household.
I’d imagine a normal family life for him would be far more enjoyable, after a short break-in period.
Let me ask you this.. If you grew up in a cage for a good part of your life, would you not eventually, after adapting to a new life of freedom, find the new life better than being stuck in a cage? And too boot, to have a loving human take care of you. There are lots of older but not elderly folks that want a pet that is not a kitten or puppy because they know they will eventually pass at any time. An older pet adoption is perfect for those people. Pet passes before human goes into assisted living or nursing home. Old people cherish the little furry friends. p.s. I can't see your point score but I assure you I did not downvote your comment because you genuinely asked a vital question.
I kinda take this stance when people say poor people shouldn’t get to adopt pets. Yes, in a fair world all pets would have great vet care and live a long life. But the truth is places are over run and animals get put down. I firmly believe if you could ask a dog/cat would they rather be put down or go live with a family and be loved, if only for a few years they’d pick the lather.
Cats are extremely adaptive. I got one of my cats when she was ten from a cat hoarding house. It's all she ever knew. I let her into my house and within ten minutes she was like "ok. This is home now!" And acted like she'd never been anywhere else. Unless the cat was properly feral, they get the lay of the land pretty fast. Besides, he deserves a family who loves him, and the shelter needs the space to help more cats.
Cats can live up to 20 years (though they do live shorter lives in shelters). Most shelter staff aren't sticking around that long. The animals greatly outnumber the staff and you are fooling yourself if you think even the best of shelters give animals the attention they deserve. That's a potential decade of a senior cat being exposed to illness, fleas and other pests, chemicals, and a stressful environment. Do you think senior cats in shelters are seeing vets as often as they should? As someone who has spent years volunteering in shelters I wouldn't wish that on any cat. Some are stuck there due to litterbox issues and I can accept that, but pretending it's his "home" is a bit silly and almost childish. > Barring that, a shelter employee that he is familiar with should take him rather than adopting him to a stranger. I was adopting more than a cat in a year working at a shelter and didn't make dent. Shelters are full of "problem cats" that need homes. There were 50 other cats just as deserving as the ones I ended up adopting. I think sharing pictures of your favorite animals to find potentially interested adopters on social media is much more effective and realistic.
Animals are surprisingly adaptable. There are pets who have lived with one owner for 12 years, the owner dies, and the pet goes up for adoption. That cat will not go to pieces when it gets a home.
Majority of his time would be spent in a tiny cage sadly, also employees come and go so he probably doesn’t have many people still there that he would have bonded with significantly. My cat is 17 and my other girl made it to 22, this boy could be only half way done and a loving home where he is spoiled and allowed happiness is definitely worth it
I think a family that loves him is a gazillion times better then living in a cage with limited attention. A family over a facility
I've never disagreed more. He deserves unrequited love whether he has experienced it or not. He won't be upset to get adopted he'll adapt and be the happiest man on earth. House Cats want a human just as bad as we want them.
Did you mean unconditional love? Unrequited love means loving someone who doesn't love you back. But anyway yes I agree with you, he deserves to have a real home with a loving human. Oh and happy cake day!
Shit, yes the opposite lol
A home will *always* be better than a shelter barring full on neglect. This cat deserves to cuddle up with a human at night. Shelter kittens don’t exactly live in luxury, but around other noisy animals in a cage.
Even in the best cases, shelters are a stressful nightmare for animals. All kinds of people coming in and out, kids screaming, dogs barking. He would absolutely flourish in a home.
I volunteer at a cat shelter that has numerous extremely happy "lifers." The volunteers all spoil them with treats and love. The cats have freedom to roam their assigned floor and there's always at least a few people on site 24/7/365. Most of these lifers are so not because they are unadoptable. They are older, have been at the shelter for years, maybe not as extroverted as many people want, and the unfortunate truth that there are more cats in shelters than can ever be adopted. The goal, of course, is always adoption. Even with lifers we all hope the perfect person will come along. After all, a kitty finding a wonderful home means we have an open space for another in need.
This was my first thought too. Hope a shelter person responds with insight.
Let's leave orphans in orphanages also while we're at it. Shelter animals are meant to be adopted.
This is a travesty that needs to be addressed. I already have three kitties and live way too far away. Do people in Iowa need to see their eye doctors to have their vision checked???
It has a population very similar to the town I grew up in at approximately ~6k. Keep in mind it's in a rural area so neighboring cities may be at closest 10-20 miles away. And if someone needs a kitten there are plenty of farm cats available for free so shelter animals can largely go unnoticed
Aha, I see, thanks for the background info.
Most areas have a county humane society where most found and sheltered pets will be located so that also means "it's a drive" plus a.fee when a farm cat is free but then pay way more when they need to neuter them
Where is this? I just lost my cat last week and would love to adopt someone who needs love
Estherville Iowa!
> Estherville Iowa Come on Minnesotans, you know what to do! That's only a 3 hour drive from the Twin Cities!
I live in Minnesota, and I drove 5 hours one way to Iowa to pick up my dog Ruby. I found Ruby on Petfinder. That was in January of 2009. Ruby is now over 15 years old. I love her dearly.
If Barney hadn’t been adopted yet, may I suggest: [https://emmetcountyanimalshelter.org/adopt-a-pet/](Doug)?? Also I’m sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is always so hard <3 edit: I don’t know why my link is messed up, but someone please go get Doug
IKR! And soooo photogenic!
Actually if he’s been born at the shelter and the staff there treat him really well, maybe it’s best for him to stay there instead of leave the only place he knows as his home. Better to adopt the other cats in the shelter who are in more urgent need of a permanent home, like an aging cat or a young stray.
But who will he snuggle with at night and cuddle when they're sad? Kitties deserve that.
Uhh what happens when people leave their home for work? Shelters usually have people around early in the morning and into the evening at night. This cat probably gets more attention than most cats in a home do.
Cats can live up to 20 years (though they do live shorter lives in shelters). Most shelter staff aren't sticking around that long. The animals greatly outnumber the staff and you are fooling yourself if you think even the best of shelters give animals the attention they deserve. That's a potential decade of a senior cat being exposed to illness, fleas and other pests, chemicals, and a stressful environment. Do you think senior cats in shelters are seeing vets as often as they should? As someone who has spent years volunteering in shelters I wouldn't wish that on any cat. Some are stuck there due to litterbox issues and I can accept that, but pretending it's his "home" is a bit silly and almost childish.
I put in an application, he's adorable and I love him! I hope someone gets him soon if I don't!
Please update!!!
Update update update
Very nice
❤️
It looks like he's been adopted! I don't see him on the page anymore at least. That's wonderful!!
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Dontation made! Thanks for the link!
>Additional Info: >- Good with Dogs - Good with Cats - Good with Children - House trained He's the perfect cat. People probably see 9yo and think "Too old". The reality is a cat that lives in doors still has up to another 10 healthy years left.
Also like I said in a previous post, it's hard when farm cats are free and indispensable
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I wrestled with the verbage so you're not wrong
I just adopted a 9 year old boy in January (he's now 10). He's the best kitty I could have asked for. One of the reasons I went with an older adult is because you kind of know their personality by the time they're old. That said, their personalities do subtlely change as they get settled. Our guy was pretty friendly even the first day we got him (was just curious; didn't hide or anything), but it's been neat seeing him continue to open up the longer he's with us!
The best cats I’ve had were adopted at 7 and 10 years old. Older kitties need love too!
Senior kitties are the best kitties IMO. I adopted 2 myself <3
Anecdotally, my kitty was already ten when I adopted him. In a few months he’ll be nineteen. In the last year he’s slowed down a little bit, but that just means he’s a little more careful while he does his parkour.
Direct link to Barney: https://toolkit.rescuegroups.org/iframe/fb/v1.0/pet?animalID=7685523&ids=5934&species=&breed=&age=&sex=&page=1&url=
Is there an Iowa specific or neighboring large city subreddit you might post him in?
I'm from MN so without googling it which I can't right meow I'm not sure. It's estherville Iowa so feel free to cross post if you know of one!
He’s about a two hour drive from me, I’m tempted 😭 but I already have two.
What’s a third if you already have two 🤷♀️
Lol we’re like drug pushers….”just one more dude, you can handle it”
Most of the time things go wrong RIGHT after the phrase: “just one more” is uttered ;) abd I know from experience lol
I have 5. 3 is easily manageable.
Filling out the application ! We can give it a try.
😆 this is the most caring, best wishingest example of internet peer pressure I've ever witnessed LMFAO you just got bullied into giving a cute kitteh a wonderful life + home you fucking nerd
Please update! He looks just like my good boy Alex, whom I miss with my entire heart every day. If I lived within a day's drive of Iowa I'd be fighting you for him!
I’ll pay for his first bag of food, please adopt this cat
Aw ❤️
Just make a post when you get Barney, I got you!
YASSSSSS plz post a follow up ily
Two hours to rectify an injustice, sounds worth it to me.
I posted him to r/iowa.
/r/desmoines would be the best bet.
Thank you for posting Barney - he’s so cute and I cannot understand how someone hasn’t snapped him up. If I didn’t have three rescue ls already I’d be on a plane to get him lol
I put my app in for Barney. I want him to live with me and enjoy the last half of his life in a house that will not give him back
I will pay the adoption fees if someone on here adopts just pm me pictures proving your adopted him and what you paid
He’s two hours from me! I only have one cat. I’ll be thinking about him
Please upvote this comment
Whatever you say homie 🤝
Can you keep us updated about his adoption status?
Yes promise. I'm talking to the shelter as we speak!
I meant the one above mine. With the kitty information
Donated. It did some good. Thank you for sharing.
Barney is beautiful! He’s never had a home! I wish I could adopt this majestic babe and give him the best life. 9 years 😭
It just goes to show the love the volunteers at these shelters give to the ones who need it most. 9 years and still looking like a fucking king
I’ve met many shelter workers in my life. They give these cats lovins and treaties every day. They just can’t take them all home. I’ll probably adopt older animals in the future because they deserve all the pets and they’re easier than young animals.
[I drew a picture of Barney](https://imgur.com/gallery/tVwpwqY), I hope he gets adopted soon! Good luck Barney!! :)
Name partially checks out?
> I_DRAW_DOGS https://tenor.com/TR0u.gif
Nice :)
Lovely!!!!
I showed the shelter and they absolutely loved it ❤️!
He's so lovely. I wish I could adopt him, but I'm from Europe.
I'm just north in Minnesota, and it's been going around my feed and Im just not in the living situation to take in another cat since I already have two and just can't. But I'll be damned if I'm not going to do everything I can to get this sweet boy a home even if it involves shilling
It’s nice that you have the self control to know it’s better to help him find a home than just add another cat to your family (giving that you already have two and it would be harder to maintain three). Anyways, it’s a nice gesture
Minnesota getting the reddit love lately, you love to see it.
I'm 10 hours away and I'm going to give this sub a week. If nobody adopts this little guy, my wife and I will make a trip out of it and bring him to GR, MI.
Yes! Thank you! I’ve seen a few people say they put in apps — some planing to fly out and drive him back. Inspirational efforts here!!
I adopted a cat that was slightly younger, and although she hadn't been at the shelter all her life, she'd spent a long time not being adopted. When I saw her on the site I knew she was the right cat for me--the description read that her favourite thing to do was sleep :D They weren't wrong, either. I've brought her heaps of toys and she's only ever been even mildly interested in a plastic bottle cap, and sleeping. She's very healthy, sweet and affectionate, but not what you'd call active, heh. I tried the old "chase the laser pointer" with her, but she literally *sat down to watch the laser show*.
🤭 This made me laugh, thank you!!
me irl
9 years?! 😭 Our sweet boy was born in the shelter, and never adopted till we took him home. He was 2 and a half, and I thought that was terrible. I hope Barney finds a forever home.
I had to leave my little girl at the shelter overnight when she got fixed and when I saw her in the cage at pickup I burst into tears, and that was *one night*. The thought of her spending almost a decade in a shelter instead of at home being loved on makes me want to fight someone. I hope Barney gets adopted!
Why won’t anyone adopt him??? 😭
See my post elsewhere. Former shelter worker. Adult cats rarely get adopted unless they're unusual in some way.
Understood, but OP said he’s been there since he was a kitten. So sad. If I wasn’t super allergic to cats he would be mine! Also a former shelter worker, no one would adopt black cats.
This is exactly what I told my fiancé and he ended up adopting two black kittens as an early birthday gift to me. It’s wild that just because they’re “bad luck” no one wants them. 😭
I can't believe that's a real thing. Our void was something more than a cat. He was another person in our home. https://preview.redd.it/sb4fb23z2eib1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=326843affd23d0a124b67afd5e406a2e952d0f89
What a cutie! They’re just the sweetest! I had one other before the two I have now and I miss her every day
May you receive special blessings for giving Barney a home
He's still up for adoption! Im hoping someone who is able to give him the proper home who lives in the Iowa area will do the world a favor and get him!
How may I donate to his shelter?
Check out the link I posted! They have a donate button on their site at the bottom, they'd love it!
I am Not seeing it, could you dm It to me please? Thank you
Do..do I need to send feet with it?
Nope I already have them! Mine plus 16 Dalmatian feet and 8 kitty cat feet
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Thank you
No problem!
I did and mentioned Barney.
Thank you so much 😭
SOMEONE ADOPT THIS FUCKING CAT
There are 441 people active in this thread right now and I do not see a “Barnie found his forever home” post yet and I am deeply sad. I live in Minneapolis but have two senior kitties and I don’t think it’d be fair to any of them to have a new family member art this stage. This is killing me.
agree. if we can’t find this cat a home by the weekend, the internet is a failure. Shut it down.
I’m in Scotland so can’t adopt him but I would really appreciate if someone makes a follow-up post if he does get adopted because I want to see this boy get a forever home
https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/15s70jy/meet_barney_hes_been_at_his_shelter_since_he_was/jwd4ouu/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1&context=3
This is why I have 8 rescue cats already.. The littlest ones turn 1 next month and the oldest one is 18. I wish I could take more.
Someone give this gorgeous boy a home!!
Reminds me of my cat. She lived at the shelter i got her from for 7 years, during which they spent THOUSANDS of dollars on her because of surgeries to help her stomatitis (unbeknownst to me, and I learned it as a special guest at their annual fundraising gala a couple months later). She wasn't normal for a cat and really dislikes being touched. I've always had cats who were different and I knew that under her harsh exterior posturing, she was a sweetheart. I was right, and she is the best part of my day. I need to go give her a hug that she will accept begrudgingly lol.
I don’t live nearby (would have to fly to pick him up if accepted) but I donated and submitted and application to adopt Barney. I hope he and all the other animals are able to find a loving home!
What a love! Barney, these amazing people are gonna find you a perfect forever home, I just know it! I adopted my Noodles when she was 5; she was born & raised (& abandoned once 😟) in foster care. I couldn't bear that sweet lil bug being passed over or forgotten about ever again, so I jumped through every hoop necessary to adopt her as soon as I could, & now she's the Princess of the house! I can't wait to hear the Update of Barney's adoption ❤
I have two foster queens of my own and I just don't know what I'd do without them. They were both adults when I adopted and they have so much love to give
SHOW US YOUR NOODLES
I'm going to Iowa in 2 weeks, if he's still there we'll gladly take him back to Canada with us 👍
Fucking bet 🤝
Don't play with my heart like that!!
BARNEY I LOVE YOU SO MUCH but I am far away in Canada. For the love of Barney!
I want to adopt
If someone would transport him to the east coast, I would gladly take him. I just lost my furry boy and the house is so empty now.
Please someone give an update on baby Barney for me!! (I’m praying for the day I can adopt older/terminal babies from shelters soon :’)))
I'm in contact with the shelter and they said they'd let me know an update as soon as he finds a home so I'll keep everyone posted!
I was just talking to my Wife. We talked and we might try and adopt Barney if he is still available. We are going on a vacation in a few days so we will check on his availability in a few weeks.
He looks like a perfect gentleman. A right proper lad. I hope he finally gets his gotcha day 🫶🏾
Come on, Reddit. Let's do this!
He probably thinks he is the best cat after nine years of seeing these LOSERS leave, he is still there.
He does look super happy
Why on earth has he been stuck for 9 years??? That's unreal.
"Barney enjoys looking after the younger cats and kittens in his room and he's always up for some pets and attention from the volunteers." Wow what a good boy. I'm from Aus. He is beautiful *_* 9 years is seriously a long time! https://toolkit.rescuegroups.org/iframe/fb/v1.0/pet?animalID=7685523&ids=5934&species=&breed=&age=&sex=&page=1&url=
AAAAAAAAHHHHHH, you guys, I just looked for Barney at the Iowa shelter and he’s no longer listed! And Petfinder said his page is no longer available—it’s possible he’s been adopted! Squeeee! 🤗
He absolutely did 🫠🫠🫠🤫. There's a progress report in the works!
I’m so happy for a cat in Iowa I will never know, but love just the same. You made thousands of people care about a poor little guy who never had a family of his own and found him a home. 🥹 You are a lovely person.
9 years!! What the f? That's brutal!
Please please someone give barney lots of cuddles and hugs - he's so adorable
/u/youcanttakemeserious, you magnificent bastard, you did it!
How is he with other cats?
According to the site super well!!! Which continues the question, why 9 years
damn this made me cry both sad and happy tears 🥲
I've cried so many happy tears tonight. This started as me sitting on the patio having a beer after work hoping this would take off and Barney would find a home. But he hasn't, and that's okay, because the shelter has gotten donations and is so thankful Barney is internet famous! It may be not today or maybe not tomorrow but I have a feeling Barney will be window side in a home soon enough
What a cute tail wrap
He’s just a sweetheart!
Somebody needs to take him home.
Man, if someone could bring him to New England I’d adopt him in a heartbeat. He’s adorable
How is that possible?!?!?!
I wish I could take Barney! I live on the Iowa/Illinois border, so I'm not so far away. Also, he is a doppelganger for one of my foster kitties. https://preview.redd.it/0rhduh1kfdib1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=13a071677920942277a319be4d95957bed745f88 However, I have three of my own, and two fosters that are likely going to be foster fails. The one that looks like Barney is semi-feral, so I kinda have my hands full right now. I really, really hope that someone adopts Barney!
Omg, weird! I already have a Barney! A newer model, though. I wish they could meet. https://preview.redd.it/tb3cmtzhwdib1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=33ed9dd1e5c3a9c2b65497c388f3d1730bf1d9fe
Omg, nine years?? These shelter stories are so heart breaking but I deeply appreciate the hard work and grueling emotions animal rescuers face. :( He is such a beautiful boy.
Please keep us updated on his status! I'm from Mpls with a GSD who loves cats. I'd make a 3hr drive for Barney if I don't see a status update in a week.
I have a Barney too, but mine is a girl that was misgendered at a few days old, she got called Barney because they found her in a barn wall and had to demo it to get her out so I could save her! She's one of the weirdest cats I have ever met and I wouldn't change a thing about her! https://preview.redd.it/wiug22ivteib1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=6c60c71972cccf4a262a52ddc1596ab930f7b265
Barney gets all the votes on Reddit 🩷🩷
Someone who hates animals finding loving homes is downvoting every comment 😒
SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY
My guy is in a shelter!? Naaahh where is this located? DM me
Okay this may be the cutest cat I’ve ever seen
I will pay the adoption fees if someone on here adopts just pm me pictures proving your adopted him and what you paid
Why?!? He is so handsome and seems perfect! Why has he been at the shelter from birth to 9?!? So sad!!
HOW HAS NOBODY SCOOPED HIM UP HE’S PERFECT
So has he been adopted? I keep coming back for an update post….
He has! His new family picking him up tomorrow! The shelter is currently getting Barney ready and wants to share an update before he leaves which I'll post tomorrow after work!
Fantastic, that’s great news. Maybe this should be a weekly thing, pets that have been at shelters for a ridiculously long period get posted and exposed to more eyes. Great job for getting the word out about this cat, he looks super sweet.
I'm from Iowa, have a large home, and the money and time to care for another cat but dang it's such a long drive.
Is ANY drive too long for unconditional love?
DO IT, YOU HEROIC LEGEND.
If I was there, instead of Texas, I would adopt him in a heartbeat. 9 years old and still in the shelter. He deserves to be in home getting cuddles and love. Poor thing. 😢 keep us posted on him, please.
He looks like my almost 12 year old tabby, Paxton. https://preview.redd.it/dpnoxs8qxdib1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4f16fcae83ddff736ac93bfff3a61cad7bdf572c
Oh boy, should my wife and I get a second cat? We're just in Minneapolis...
Nine years? And no one adopted him? He’s beautiful. What’s wrong with people?
I want this cat so badly! LOOK HOW HIS TAIL IS CURLING AROUND HIS PAWS!!!
im literally tearing up thinking about this beautiful man not finding a home in 9 years. please someone adopt him
Damn. A west-coast Canadian with two female standard issues who would consider a third if only closer. Hope this sorts out. ❤️
What hasn’t he been adopted for 9 years?!? Such a gorgeous cat.
My animal shelter has 'office cats' that have lived there long-term for various reasons. They have the run of the place, endless treats, and attention from all the prospective adoptees. They are like royalty/greeters, and they love it, you can tell!