Animal lovers across the internet are rallying behind a once-abandoned cat whose heartbreaking story and fearful eyes have left a deep emotional impact.
Rachel Aune, a seasoned animal rescuer based in Alabama, shared the story of Dewey—a cat who was found locked in a closet without food or water. Aune, who has worked in animal rescue for five years, runs a facility in partnership with Friends of the Mobile Animal Shelter. She currently cares for 10 cats, all of whom have faced life-threatening situations.
One of those cats is Dewey. “He honestly broke my heart,” Aune told Newsweek. She was contacted by a local shelter that needed help with Dewey, who was extremely fearful—especially in a loud environment filled with barking dogs. After learning his backstory, Aune knew she had to step in.
Dewey’s situation went viral after Aune posted a video of him to her TikTok account @rachelrescuesanimals on April 15. In the clip, Dewey is curled up in the corner of his cage, trying to make himself invisible. His wide blue eyes are filled with fear as Aune gently opens the cage door. The video’s text reads: “After being abandoned in a closet Dewey does not trust people anymore.” Aune also captioned the clip: “How can people be so cruel?”
The response was overwhelming. The video has been viewed nearly 2 million times, with thousands of users expressing concern and heartbreak. “Please tell me this sweet baby has been adopted? His eyes break my heart,” one commenter wrote. Another pleaded, “Please update us on Dewey. This is breaking my heart. I can’t quit thinking about him.”
Many viewers worried that the cage might trigger memories of Dewey’s trauma. But Aune reassured followers that he had been moved to a more calming environment. “He is hanging out on our catio, still very scared,” she said. Despite his fear, there is hope—an adopter from Houston, Texas, nearly 500 miles away, is planning to visit Dewey.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates that about 6.3 million cats and dogs enter U.S. shelters each year. Of those, around 4.1 million find homes.
For Aune, cats like Dewey are why she continues doing rescue work. “Any cat I rescue that shows progress in health or behavior reminds me of why I do this every single day,” she said. “Especially the hard-to-adopt ones. Sadly, I do see a lot of death in rescue, but kitties like Dewey—or long-timer dogs getting adopted—bring me so much joy.”
Dewey’s journey may have started in fear, but thanks to compassion and care, he now has a chance at love and a new life.
