When the team at a shelter in Philadelphia, USA, looked inside a new resident's cage, their hearts sank. Lying underneath the cat was what appeared to be a blanket. However, it wasn't just any old throw, but his owner's hoodie.
The 16-year-old cat, named Jack, was entrusted to the Safety Net Foster programme at the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). His owner is currently going through a temporary hardship and is unable to care for him for a few months. The goal is clear: to preserve the bond between the man and his pet until they can be reunited.
A call for help
In a post shared on Facebook, PAWS made an urgent appeal to find a foster family who could take care of Jack. The message received over 4,200 reactions and hundreds of comments.
"This sensitive boy is very scared at the shelter and needs a foster home as soon as possible. Poor Jack is missing his owner terribly, and we're sure the feeling is mutual. If you look closely, that's not a blanket in his cage, but his dad's hoodie," the organisation wrote.
Speaking to Newsweek, PAWS representative Cory Topel provided more details about the circumstances of the separation. "We received a call from a doctor at a nearby hospital about a patient who needed urgent medical care. His biggest concern wasn't his own health, but leaving Jack with no one to look after him. Jack is clearly the centre of his world," he explained.
A solution to keep them together
Rather than forcing the owner to choose between his health and his pet, PAWS enrolled Jack in its Safety Net Foster programme. This scheme is specifically designed for crisis situations, such as medical emergencies, housing difficulties, or temporary family problems.
Today, Jack is settled comfortably in a foster home, with his dad's hoodie, waiting for the situation to resolve so he can return to his own home.
