A heartwarming TikTok video featuring a group of sleepy shelter cats has gone viral, drawing attention not only for its charm but for the emotional message behind it. The clip, shared by @katiesplaceshelter, shows five cats lounging in sunbeams and cozy corners, accompanied by a message revealing they have collectively waited 2,053 days for a home.
The video, posted on March 29, has garnered over 506,800 views and 72,000 likes. It showcases the longest-term residents of Katie’s Place, a volunteer-run, no-kill animal shelter in Maple Ridge, British Columbia.
Newsweek spoke with Gina, 24, a shelter volunteer who works as both an adoption counselor and caregiver for special-needs cats. She shared details about the cats featured in the video and why they’ve been overlooked for so long.
The cats include:
- Springer, a black-and-white cat who has lived at the shelter for 709 days. Now 17 years old, he has kidney failure and hyperthyroidism, but still has the energy of a younger cat. “He greets everyone who visits. We named him Springer because he always has a spring in his step,” Gina said.
- Ejay, around eight or nine years old, transferred from another rescue in Edmonton.
- Toby Keith, 5, tested positive for FIV after being found as a stray. He has been adopted and returned twice and is now bonded with another shelter cat, Pendragon.
- Paris Deguchi, 15, came to the shelter after her 92-year-old owner passed away.
- Oki, 5 or 6, was surrendered due to his owners’ allergies. Despite being healthy and friendly, he has remained unnoticed.
“These cats have so much love to give,” said Gina. “But their age, health conditions, or shy nature can make it harder for them to get adopted.”
The shelter is one of the few in British Columbia that accepts FIV-positive cats. Gina explained that while the virus weakens a cat’s immune system, many live full, healthy lives.
The video’s emotional impact has sparked a wave of comments from TikTok users. One wrote, “As sad as I am to see this, it means 700 days of no hunger, 700 days of love.” Gina responded, “700 days of second breakfast and dinner because he always tricks us into thinking he hasn’t been fed.”
Another user commented, “I just sobbed hysterically over Springer,” while many praised the shelter for giving these cats love and comfort despite their long waits.
Gina reflected on why shelter cats are often passed over: “Cats get more stressed in shelter environments than dogs. It takes longer for them to warm up, especially the shy ones. But with time and patience, they can become the most affectionate companions.”
For now, the cats continue to wait, but thanks to the viral video, they’re no longer invisible.
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