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By Liz O'Connell
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An owner moving into a nursing home surrendered his cat with a heartbreaking note asking for one favor: Let him keep the bear.
The Carver Scott Humane Society (CSHS) in Minnesota welcomed Zoey, a 4-year-old orange cat, on February 22 after he was transferred from rescue partner Leech Lake Legacy. Zoey was originally surrendered to Pennington Humane Society after his owner was moved into a nursing home and could no longer care for him, Alyse Arras, executive director of CSHS, told Newsweek via email.
Taped to the top of Zoey's crate was a note that followed him to CSHS, carrying one clear instruction from the owner: Don't take away Zoey's bear. The stuffed animal became his comfort item. When staff briefly separated Zoey from the toy to clean it, he became visibly stressed, CSHS wrote in a February 26 Facebook post. But once reunited, Zoey quickly settled, clutching his plush toy, and the two are now rarely seen apart.
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Shelter staff quickly became "obsessed" with Zoey and his bear, sharing his story in hopes of not only naming his beloved companion, but also helping the pair find a new forever home.
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"Since arriving, Zoey has kept his bear close, and after taking into consideration the many comments on our post, the staff ended up naming it Joey," Arras said. "The two are definitely quite the pair."
A Cat's Comfort Item
Cats often form strong attachments to soft items as a way to self-soothe, especially during stressful transitions or when they lack stimulation, according to an article from Dial A Vet. The behavior stems from kittenhood, when suckling and kneading provided warmth and security—something a PetMD article compares to a baby sucking their thumb. Adult felines may carry these behaviors into adulthood as a way to relax and cope with anxiety.
For cats experiencing upheaval, keeping at least one familiar or soft item nearby, such as a blanket, bedding, or a simple plush toy, can help provide comfort during transitions.
In Zoey’s case, being surrendered to an animal shelter and separated from his longtime owner may have heightened his need for stability, making the stuffed bear a calming presence as he adjusted to shelter life.
Adoption Hope
Arras said Zoey has not officially been listed as adoptable, but with an event at CSHS on Saturday, she believes he might shine and quickly find his forever home. He might be timid, but based on his transition into the shelter, Zoey loves human interaction.
“Zoey has been doing really well since arriving," she said. "He’s currently staying in our cattery, where he has his own room to relax and adjust. He loves being brushed, petted, and getting attention, though he’s still a little shy when meeting new people."
Facebook users flocked to the post by offering support and hope for Zoey's future. They fell in love with his attachment to his plushy, which many compared to the now-viral story of Punch the Monkey, who was given a stuffed toy for comfort after his mother rejected him.
"Punch!! It’s the opposite coloring of this adorable duo," commented one person.
Another added: "Aw, tears. Hope he finds the perfect home."
A third said: "Oh my gosh! This will make your heart skip a beat."
With rescues continuing to feel strain from overcrowded shelters, Arras encourages people to consider temporary care, as situations like Zoey's are "more common than people might realize."
“One of the most impactful ways people can support their local rescues right now is by fostering," she said. "Cats, in particular, can be wonderful and relatively easy foster companions. Sometimes all it takes is a spare bedroom or a quiet space in your home to give a cat somewhere safe to land while they wait for their forever family."
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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