A North Carolina animal shelter celebrated a touching double adoption after a couple returned to adopt the sibling of the cat they had just welcomed into their home.
The story began in November when Cirrus and Ivory, along with five other cats, arrived at the Bertie County Humane Society. All seven came from the same home and were in poor health.
“They were all sick, so we focused on treating them and helping them recover,” said Penny, a shelter worker, in an interview with Newsweek. “At first, they didn’t understand why they were in cages, but as they healed, they learned they were safe and cared for.”
In February, Jean McGinnis and Chris Gartland visited the shelter after losing their beloved cat, Dexter. They had seen a video of Ivory on social media and planned to adopt him. However, once they arrived, they also met Cirrus and instantly felt a connection to him.
“They struggled to choose,” the shelter wrote in a Facebook post. “Eventually, they took Ivory home—but couldn’t stop thinking about Cirrus.”
A few days later, the couple contacted the shelter again. They wanted to bring Cirrus home too. Penny was thrilled and helped arrange the adoption.
According to Penny, both cats are thriving. McGinnis told the shelter, “They are such a joy to have. Our home felt so empty after Dexter, and now it’s full of love as Ivory and Cirrus run around and play.”
While Ivory adjusted quickly, Cirrus was more reserved at first. He often hid in an upstairs bedroom. “If Ivory tried to leave, Cirrus would cry out, and Ivory would come back to comfort him,” Penny said.
Now, both cats have fully settled into their new home and have even been given new names: Gnocchi and Levi.
McGinnis hopes their story inspires others to visit the shelter. “When we were there, we met several other cats who also need homes. We just want more people to see how wonderful these animals are,” she said.
Penny added that adoptions are often emotional for the staff. “I always cry—because I’m happy for the animals, and because I’ll miss them,” she said.
Cirrus and Ivory’s five siblings are still waiting at Bertie County Humane Society for homes of their own.
Each year in the U.S., about 3.2 million cats enter shelters, but only 2.1 million are adopted, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
The shelter’s Facebook post about Cirrus’s adoption received an outpouring of support. One commenter wrote, “Needed this happy ending today. What beautiful kitties! What wonderfully kind adopters!” Another added, “Such a sweet story and happy ending for both cats to stay together.”
