Sarah’s journey into the world of senior cat care began during her college years at a shelter called Whiskers Animal Benevolent League in Albany, New York.
There, she discovered a special room dedicated to senior cats that would forever change her perspective on animal adoption.
The peaceful demeanor and grateful spirits of these older felines left an indelible impression on her heart, planting a seed that would bloom years later.
By 2021, Sarah had established a quiet life with two cats in her apartment, but she felt called to do more. She made the remarkable decision to seek out not just any senior cat, but a “super senior” – one aged 15 or older.
Her reasoning was simple yet profound: no cat of that age should spend their twilight years in a shelter when they could be enjoying the comfort of a loving home.
Her search led her to the Patricia Ledoux Foundation in Oyster Bay, where she met Polly, a tortoiseshell cat with a touching backstory.
Rescued from a hoarding situation, Polly had lived among countless other cats, never receiving proper medical care. Despite being approximately 15 years old, she hadn’t been spayed, suggesting she had borne many litters throughout her life.
When Sarah first encountered her, Polly sat quietly in her corner, bearing a look that was both sad and beautiful.
As Sarah spent more time with Polly, she discovered the cat’s unique characteristics. Polly was deaf, likely from untreated ear infections, and possessed remarkable polydactyl paws with extra toes.
Despite her quiet demeanor at the shelter, she had a surprisingly loud purr and distinctive meow. Her medical challenges were numerous – from dental pain to matted fur that required shaving – but Sarah saw past these issues to the loving soul beneath.
On February 26th, 2021, Sarah welcomed Polly into her home, expecting a gradual adjustment period. However, Polly had other plans.
Within minutes of arrival, she surprised everyone by leaping over the bathroom gate meant to ease her transition.
She made her way directly to Sarah’s bedroom, claimed a drawer filled with pillows and blankets as her own, and settled in as if she had lived there all along.
What followed was nothing short of magical. Rather than showing the hesitation often expected of older cats in new environments, Polly began to flourish.
It was as if the years were falling away – she played, interacted with Sarah’s other cats, and exhibited a joy for life that seemed to grow stronger each day.
Later that year, after having all her teeth removed to treat her stomatitis, Polly truly came into her own.
Despite – or perhaps because of – her unique traits (her deafness, lack of teeth, and extra toes), Polly developed into the undisputed queen of the household.
Sarah, who had known little about tortoiseshell cats before the adoption, came to understand their reputation for being household sovereigns.
The once-meek shelter cat transformed into a confident, commanding presence that everyone came to adore.
One of Polly’s most distinctive features became her vocalizations. Her “crunchy” meow, as people described it, became a regular soundtrack in Sarah’s home.
She would announce her presence with loud, distinctive calls that initially concerned Sarah but proved to be simply Polly’s way of expressing her happiness and claiming her space.
Working from home, Sarah’s colleagues grew familiar with these unique sounds, often mistaking them for a baby’s cries during video calls.
But perhaps most special was Polly’s purr, a sound she seemed to reserve almost exclusively for Sarah. It became a soothing balm during stressful moments, a thunderous expression of gratitude that Sarah interpreted as Polly’s way of saying thank you for her new lease on life.
Through Polly’s story, Sarah discovered that senior cat adoption isn’t just about providing a comfortable retirement home – it’s about witnessing the extraordinary capacity for love, joy, and transformation that exists in every animal, regardless of age or circumstance.
What began as a mission to give a senior cat a peaceful retirement turned into a beautiful journey of mutual healing and unexpected happiness.
Take a look at the video below:
A big thank you to Sarah for sharing their story with us.
You can see more of Polly and family on Instagram
Related story: Purr-fect Timing! A Tail of Love, Loss, and Unexpected Wobbles
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