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By Maria Azzurra Volpe
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A pair of cats returned to shelter nine years after being adopted have gone viral on social media with their heartbreaking reaction to their unexpected situation—now the shelter is urging compassion and awareness.
In a viral post shared on Facebook on Tuesday by the Safe House Animal Rescue League, the shelter shows the two senior cats, an orange one and a calico, when they were first adopted nine years ago, unaware of what the future held for them. .
The rescue describes Natalie and Sunshine’s situation as one of the most-heartbreaking challenges they have faced in recent days.
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"The last time we saw these two sweet faces was about 9 years ago. They were adopted together as kittens and now, at about 9 1/2 years old, they have been returned to our rescue through no fault of their own," the caption says.
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"Of all the issues we dealt with last week, this is actually the most heartbreaking since with the critical kitties we are able to intervene and make progress yet with these two that is not the case. We were given no time to make a plan; it was that they had to leave immediately when really there was no reason for an emergency, urgent return."
According to the post, the two cats are now terrified in rescue after almost a decade of living in an actual home; as a result, they are not eating, and keep their heads pressed against the corner of their confinement space, not interested in workers' attempts to love and assist them.
"Please send strength, prayers, well wishes, whatever it may be, to our rescue and to these two sweet girls. Only time will heal their broken hearts and let them trust again," the caption continues.
A spokesperson for the organization told Newsweek that Safe House Animal Rescue League is a no‑kill, foster‑based rescue without a physical shelter location, with their main foster base is in Peru, Illinois.
Natalie and Sunshine, the spokesperson said, had originally been rescued and vetted in 2016 before being adopted. The rescue had no contact with the adopter until last week, when they received an email stating the cats had to be surrendered immediately because the owner had moved into a home where pets were not allowed.
"With 50 to 80 million cats in the United States alone without homes, rehoming cats is not a wise solution for any cat," the spokesperson said, while acknowledging that unexpected situations can arise, but this particular one "could have been avoided."
"While we do not want to focus on fault finding, there is an opportunity for education. Alternative steps to take would be that pet owners not agree to move into residences where they don't accept pets because they have pets," the spokesperson said.
They added that the demand for an immediate intake specifically created significant disruption.
"Requiring our no-kill rescue to immediately take the cats back in caused much turmoil," the spokesperson said, adding that planned rescues had to be canceled, leaving other cats and kittens on the streets.
"Threatening that the cats will be taken to an open intake organization if arrangements were not made immediately is just not acceptable at all. Requested vet records were not provided, leaving our rescue responsible for updating vaccinations and whatever other treatment they may need."
The emotional toll on Natalie and Sunshine has been severe. "Cats are extremely sensitive," the spokesperson said. After two days back in rescue care, the pair had still not eaten or drunk water. Staff even planned to syringe-feed them if the felines did not start eating on their own.
"At the end of the day, it is the responsibility of each pet owner to plan their lives to include their pets, and not request returns," the rescue said, underscoring the broader message it hopes the situation conveys.
The post has so far received over 200 likes and 43 comments on the platform.
One user, Jill Parit, commented: "As sad and difficult, we don’t know the back story of why they had to be given up. At least they weren’t left out in the cold. Praying for the right family to come along."
Tracy Jones wrote: "Poor sweeties. People suck."
Amy Sullivan added: "Poor babies. I have to admit, it's hard hearing these stories. It's even tougher not being able to take them all home."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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