EMMET COUNTY, Iowa — A nine-year wait has finally come to an end for Barney, a resilient cat who spent his entire life at the Emmet County Animal Shelter (ECAS) before being adopted last week.
Barney’s journey began when his pregnant mother was rescued from a feral cat colony. After being fostered alongside his siblings, he was brought to ECAS as a kitten—only to be overlooked by potential adopters for nearly a decade.
“Barney was always super outgoing and affectionate, but he just didn’t get picked,” ECAS director Kristy Henning told PEOPLE. She noted that Midwest shelters often struggle with overcrowding, leaving many deserving animals waiting far too long.
A Viral Smile Changes Everything
Barney’s fortunes shifted when a photo of him flashing a wide, cheerful grin—taken by ECAS kennel manager Lindsey Rohrbaugh—was shared on Reddit. The post, captioned “Meet Barney… the happiest-looking cat you’ll see today,” quickly amassed over 51,000 upvotes and hundreds of adoption inquiries.
Among those smitten was Amanda Scherer of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. “I saw him and thought he was super cute,” Scherer told the Des Moines Register. After reviewing applications, ECAS selected Scherer’s family as Barney’s perfect match.
Settling Into His New Life
Barney is now thriving in his forever home, which includes Scherer, her husband, their 3-year-old daughter, and another pet. According to Henning, the once-overlooked tabby is relishing comforts he never had at the shelter—like carpet to lounge on.
“Thank you to Amanda and her family for opening their hearts to this sweet boy,” ECAS wrote in a Facebook announcement. “He instantly loved them.”
A Plea for Other Long-Term Residents
Henning hopes Barney’s story encourages adopters to consider pets who’ve waited years for homes. “Don’t assume they’re there for a negative reason,” she said. “Barney did nothing wrong—sometimes, with so many cats, not everyone gets picked.”
For those unable to adopt, ECAS urges support through volunteering, donations, or spaying/neutering pets to reduce shelter overcrowding.
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