- Fishtopher the “depressed” cat went viral after a Twitter consumer shared screenshots of his Petfinder profile.
- A Baltimore couple advised Insider they drove two hours and waited within the chilly to undertake him.
- Now they’re utilizing his social media reputation to deliver consideration to different shelter animals.
This story initially appeared on Business Insider.
Fishtoper the cat’s journey to his new residence began with a tweet.
On Thursday, Twitter consumer @MollyClarke shared a screenshot of a Petfinder itemizing from Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in Blackwood, New Jersey. The itemizing featured a photograph of a big cat described as “very unhappy and depressed” and “out of kinds” on the shelter.
i swear to god. if considered one of you does not go get fishtopher…https://t.co/fpr71yOUL2 pic.twitter.com/k6lLRoquCg
— Molly Clarke (@mollyaclarke) November 24, 2022
The tweet blew up over Thanksgiving, with 168,000 likes and over 21,000 retweets as of Sunday. Social media customers replied with encouragement and photos of their very own rescue cats, hoping somebody would undertake Fishtopher.
One of many individuals who noticed the downcast feline on-line was Laura Folts, a 22-year-old residing in Baltimore, Maryland. Folts advised Insider that she and her boyfriend, 24-year-old Tanner Callahan, beforehand talked about adopting a pet, so she jokingly despatched the tweet to him on a whim. Little did she know, Callahan submitted an software — and rapidly heard again from the shelter.
The couple drove from Baltimore to Blackwood on Saturday, leaving round 8 a.m. and arriving at Homeward Certain round 10 a.m., an hour earlier than the middle opened. Folts knew that others would come to satisfy Fishtopher, in order that they waited within the chilly to be first in line. Their efforts paid off.
“I believe lots of people got here in desirous to see him. And of the group of the primary 10 people who have been there at open, about eight or 9 of them have been there to see Fishtopher. And they also all obtained to pet him,” she stated. “However we have been the fortunate ones to take him residence.”
Folts and Callahan stated Homeward Certain advised them they obtained lots of of inquiries about Fishtopher, with some touring from California and the United Arab Emirates.
Folts and Callahan say Fishtopher was nonetheless timid on the experience residence however snuggled with them after they made a pit cease.
Picture Credit score: Courtesy of Laura Folts
After a automobile experience highlighted by a pitstop for cat meals and cuddles, Fishtopher moved into Callahan’s residence. The couple says that though he is created a couple of hideouts for himself, he is adjusting to his new area nicely.
Fishtopher examined optimistic for feline immunodeficiency virus based on the couple, which the Cornell Feline Health Center describes as a standard illness that assaults a cat’s immune system. In keeping with the middle, FIV impacts anyplace from 2.5 to 5 % of in any other case wholesome cats in North America.
Regardless of his well being setback, Fishtopher’s new homeowners say he is a heat, affectionate pet who loves folks.
the folks have requested extra pics-topher pic.twitter.com/bx00OldNSm
— warmth miser? (@honkinn) November 26, 2022
Folts started documenting the cat’s new life with photographs on her private Twitter web page, and as well as, created a Twitter and Instagram account in his title. Each of Fisthtopher’s social media accounts have already got greater than 13,000 followers as of Sunday, which Folts stated got here as a shock to her.”It has been actually heartwarming how lots of people are like, ‘You possibly can inform how a lot happier he’s,'” she stated.
Now that Fishtopher has a platform, Folts and Callahan say they need to deliver consideration to different animals in want. Folts often retweets photographs and listings for shelter animals, and she or he stated she hopes the individuals who saved up with Fishtopher — and acquired him objects from a small want checklist — will discover.
Folts stated Fishtopher discovered a pleasant area to nap on a pillow in Callahan’s closet.
Picture Credit score: Courtesy of Laura Folts
“I actually hope folks preserve the identical power for different cats simply because he’s very distinctive in his look,” she stated. “But in addition there’s different cats which are simply as distinctive and particular that want properties and likewise cash … Individuals needed to ship us cash for meals or simply give us cash as a result of we adopted him. And I am similar to, ‘No, do not. Give it to different cats who do not have a house proper now.'”
Homeward Certain’s govt director Lysa Boston advised Insider that the middle is at the moment over capability and she or he hopes others might be impressed by Fishtopher’s story.
“We’re thrilled with all the eye that he obtained and hope that it’s going to make folks understand that we’ve got so many great cats and canine as nicely up for adoption which are so usually ignored,” she stated.
Supply: Entrepreneur