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By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
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A soothing montage of sleepy cats—lounging in sunbeams, napping in cozy corners, and blinking slowly at the camera—has gone viral on TikTok.
The video has racked up over 506,800 views and 72,000 likes (@katiesplaceshelter), not just for its adorable content, but for the quietly heartbreaking message behind it.
These cats have been waiting a very long time for a home. In total, the five cats featured on the video have been collectively waiting an astounding 2,053 days for someone to give them a second chance.
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Newsweek spoke to Gina, 24, a dedicated volunteer who serves as both an adoption counselor and medicator for the shelter's special-needs cats about how each cat ended up at the shelter—and why they're so often overlooked.
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Posted on March 29, the video spotlights the longest-term residents of Katie's Place Small Animal Shelter—a volunteer-run, no-kill refuge in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. It features Springer, a black-and-white cat who has been at the shelter for 709 days, along with Ejay (526 days), Toby Keith (399 days), Paris Deguchi (240 days), and Oki (179 days).
The text at the start of the clip refers to them as the "long term residents with no interest." But after getting to know them for a year, Gina doesn't understand why.
She told Newsweek: "Springer was found as a skinny stray on the streets struggling to fend for himself. We picked him up, got him neutered and checked his health and he's been with us ever since."
Now 17 years old, Springer has developed kidney failure and hyperthyroidism, two chronic conditions common in older cats. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, kidney failure affects a cat's ability to filter waste, while hyperthyroidism can lead to weight loss, increased appetite, and restlessness.
"Despite this you wouldn't be able to tell he has any conditions; his energy levels are that of a young cat and he is extremely food motivated," Gina said. "He greets everyone who comes in, volunteers and visitors alike. He is universally loved, and we named him Springer because he always has a spring in his step."
Oki, estimated to be five or six years old, was surrendered when his owners developed allergies.
"Oki is an all-around sweet and friendly cat with no health issues so we're not sure why he's so overlooked, he just tends to fly under the radar," Gina told Newsweek.
Toby Keith, five years old, was found as a scared stray in a dangerous area.
"We took him in when we found he tested positive for FIV," Gina said.
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FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) is a condition that weakens a cat's immune system, but many FIV-positive cats live long and healthy lives. The virus is typically spread through deep bite wounds, according to the ASPCA.
Gina said Ejay, who is around eight or nine years old, was transferred from another rescue in Edmonton, Alberta.
"We are one of the only shelters in BC that accepts FIV-positive cats," she added.
Paris Deguchi, now 15 years old, ended up at Katie's Place when her owner passed away at 92 and no family members could take her in.
Despite their personalities, Gina explained that their age is often what holds them back from being adopted.
Toby Keith has been adopted and returned twice. Gina said he became "depressed and withdrawn" when separated from his best friend at the shelter, Pendragon. The two are now a bonded pair who must be adopted together.
TikTok Reacts
The video has sparked an outpouring of emotional comments, many of which Gina responded to directly.
One user wrote: "As sad as I am to see this, it means 700 days for Springer of no hunger, 700 days of a cozy bed to rest, 700 days of love, 700 days of not being alone in this world. Thank you guys for what you do."
To which Gina replied: "700 days of second breakfast and dinner because he always tricks us into thinking he hasn't been fed."
Another user commented: "I genuinely just sobbed hysterically over Springer," while another added, "At least they are all very happy and comfortable where they are now, with the slow blinks and other boy languages."
Gina also shared her thoughts on why she feels cats are often overlooked in shelters, she told Newsweek: "I think it is harder for cats to get adopted than dogs because a shelter environment is more stressful for cats.
"It is harder for them to showcase their personalities when meeting new people as it takes them some time to warm up, especially since we work with a lot of shy formerly feral cats.
"Often, we have seen the shyest cats transform into the biggest cuddle bugs when they get into a home, someone just needs to be willing to give them a chance and see through their initial caution."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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