A woman who spent five years caring for a colony of feral cats in Phoenix was brought to tears when one of the most elusive cats finally let her touch him—on the day he died.
Valerie Wells moved to Phoenix in 2020 and discovered that her apartment complex was home to a large group of feral cats. Though the complex prohibited feeding animals, she quietly set out food and water each day. Over time, the cats began to show up regularly for meals.
Wells took on the task of trap-neuter-return to manage the colony. She gradually earned the trust of the 12 cats, each responding differently. Some waited by her side at feeding time. Others kept their distance but warmed up with time. One cat, however, remained distant—Griz.
“Griz was always extra skittish,” Wells told Newsweek in an email. “For most of the five years, I couldn’t get within 15 feet of him. If I looked at him too long or made a sudden movement, he would run and hide.”
Despite the distance, Griz showed up every morning and evening for meals. Slowly, he began to appear more often, even watching her while she walked her dog.
A few months ago, Wells noticed a change. Griz started following her on walks and gave her slow blinks—a cat’s way of showing trust. When he allowed her to come within five feet and stopped eating altogether, she knew something was wrong.
At the vet, the diagnosis was grim. Griz had a severe abscess in his neck that was filled with maggots. He hadn’t eaten or drunk water in days. His body was failing.
Wells said it was clear Griz was ready to let go. Likely around 12 years old, he finally allowed Wells and the veterinarian to touch him without fear. It was as if he understood they were trying to help—and accepted his fate.
Griz let out soft meows, which Wells said were the first she had ever heard from him. As he lay on the exam table, she gently stroked his head and told him she loved him.
“It was something I had only ever dreamed of,” she said. “It was an honor to be Griz’s caretaker for five years. I’m thankful I could help him at the end.”
The emotional moment was shared in a TikTok video that has since gained over 37,700 views and 5,600 likes. Viewers were deeply moved.
“His meows were so precious at the end,” one user wrote. “I’m sure he was grateful for the years you fed him.”
“This hurts my heart, but thank you for letting him pass with dignity,” said another.
A third added: “Loving and caring for ferals is so rewarding, but so hard. Thank you for everything you did for him.”
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