For those who have been following Furkids for a while, you've probably heard of a cat named Ingrid. At 13 years old, Ingrid had spent more than 12 years waiting at Furkids for her forever family. She's a lady with boundaries - sassy and misunderstood by many. The bustling shelter environment wasn't always easy for Ingrid, and sometimes brought out her feisty side. 

Those who were close to Ingrid saw glimpses of her soft heart. Beneath the sass, we knew that Ingrid was capable of love and affection - she just needed a space to call her own in order to shine. Senior Room Advocate and Socializer Lisa always described Ingrid as “a beautiful cat with so much love to give”. Ingrid's big day came just a few weeks ago when a family decided to foster her with the hope of eventually adopting. What happened next was nothing short of magic.

Ingrid absolutely blossomed in her new home. Gone were the days of swatting in frustration, now, she gently paws at her people when they stop petting her. Instead of shying away from other cats who were invading her space, she curls up in bed with her new family - soaking in cuddles and affection like she's been waiting for her whole life.  

“She wants to be close to her humans as much as possible, and her favorite spot is to lay directly on top of you.  She purrs constantly and makes enough biscuits to feed an army.  She is my son's constant companion when he is home and she sleeps with him every single night.  She absolutely loves to rub her face on people's feet (every cat has their quirks!)” her adopter said. “She has truly come out of her shell and is living her best life in an environment that is just perfect for her personality.  She is quite the investigator and has to be in the middle of whatever is going on in the house.  She is doted on and loved and living her best life and we are so happy that she is a part of our family.”

Ingrid's story is a reminder that no matter how much love and care we provide in the shelter, some cats can truly thrive when they have their own space, their own people, and their own chance. If you are thinking about adopting, we encourage you to consider a senior cat, or one who's been waiting a little longer. They have so much love to give, and are just waiting for someone to believe in them. 

Our director of Cat Programs, Diviya, states “Pets are like people, and when we offer them unwavering support and trust, they begin to tap into their own unique strengths and abilities, unlocking a world of possibilities. Ingrid will forever be a shining star at Furkids, and we are eternally grateful to the Wright family for embracing our very special girl with open hearts and a forever home”. 

While Ingrid was with Furkids, she left an impression on all of us. Dozens of staff and volunteers have spent the last few days sharing their cherished memories, such as her love to roam the halls at Furkids HQ. Terrri Brunson, another Furkids leader stated “When Ingrid came to Furkids in 2013, she preferred her space and liked to be Queen of the Hall! I always hoped Ingrid's family was out there, and I am so grateful she is going home, where there are a lot of halls!”

Our founder and CEO Samantha Shelton said, “Ingrid's life is a testament to the steadfast commitment of Furkids and of our team of staff and volunteers to provide love and shelter to homeless animals. We have a depth of respect for them as the individuals that they are and Ingrid is a great example of that deep care and concern. We love them unconditionally as they love unconditionally. We never tire or give up on them and we hold out hope beyond hope that they will find their people, and until then, we are here to give them the very best life possible. We couldn't be happier for Ingrid and her family!"

We are thrilled that little Ingrid now has a home to call her own! We won't stop until all of the Furkids in our program have their happily ever after! And even then? We still won't stop saving lives!