Shelter cat comforts himself by burying his head in his former owner's shoes

Seven years with a family, then the shelter

In 2019, a family from West Cornwall in Connecticut, USA, adopted a kitten named Ming from The Little Guild rescue organisation. Seven years later, they moved into a retirement home and had to part ways with him. Ming was returned to the shelter, bringing along a pair of his owner's shoes. The family explained to the staff that these were his favourite items. However, the shelter team remained a bit sceptical at first, as Kassidy Humphrey, animal care coordinator at the shelter, told The Dodo.

Shoes that bring comfort

The staff placed the shoes inside Ming's pen, and he immediately buried his face in them. As he got used to his new surroundings, the shoes gave him much-needed comfort. "He would roll around on them, and they probably smelled of his owner too," observed Humphrey.

Despite everything he had been through, Ming remained a deeply affectionate cat. At seven years old, he loved cuddles and the company of his carers, showing a little more of his lovely personality each day.

A month at the shelter, then a new home

The staff worried that Ming might be overlooked by adopters, who often prefer kittens. But shortly after his arrival, an elderly gentleman walked into the shelter and took an interest in him. He had recently lost his 23-year-old cat, Humphrey explained, and dearly missed having a feline companion. He quickly fell under Ming's charm and adopted him. In the end, Ming spent only about a month at the shelter.

A little nervous at first, the cat spent his first few weeks hiding behind the sofa. But once he realised he was safe, he became inseparable from his new owner. The shelter team was delighted. His new owner helped Ming recover, while the cat brought brightness back into the elderly man's life. Ming was just happy to have a friend to spend time with, Humphrey summarised.