A stray cat found his way to a girl in a wheelchair, hopped into her lap, and refused to leave.
It all started a few weeks ago when Chris Poole, who cares for community cats in his area, noticed a new face among the regulars. A blue-eyed feline showed up one day, joining the other cats for a meal, and then returned a few days later.
The little wanderer seemed to have been living on the streets for a while. “Apartment complexes often have stray cats at dumpsters or ones left behind when people move out,” Chris explained.
Over time, the cat warmed up to Chris, becoming more relaxed and chatty. Once he realised Chris was there to help, he even allowed himself to be petted. “The real breakthrough came when I introduced him to catnip and silver vine,” Chris shared. “He’d roll around, let me rub his belly, and just enjoy himself.”
Chris knew this cat deserved a loving home, so he reached out to Suncoast Animal League in Palm Harbor, Florida. With a little silver vine to lure him, the friendly stray was safely brought indoors, leaving his life on the streets behind.
The cat, named Sinatra for his constant “singing,” quickly adjusted to indoor life and became an affectionate, attention-loving companion. “His name suits him perfectly—he’s always vocal,” said Larissa Condarcure of Suncoast Animal League.
Larissa had the perfect home in mind for Sinatra. A few months earlier, Lori Griggs and her daughter Kiley had visited the shelter, sharing their challenges in finding the right cat. Kiley uses a power wheelchair, which many cats find intimidating, but Sinatra was different.
When Kiley met Sinatra, he walked right up to her, hopped into her lap, and started snuggling. The bond was instant. Sinatra wasn’t fazed by the wheelchair at all—in fact, he made himself perfectly at home, purring contentedly in Kiley’s lap.
“He doesn’t even flinch when she moves around the house,” Lori said. “He’s like a speed bump—he doesn’t budge!”
From the moment Sinatra arrived, it was like he’d always been part of the family. He spends his days curled up on Kiley’s lap while she does her schoolwork and snuggles with her throughout the day.
“I work from home, and Kiley is homeschooled, so Sinatra gets attention all day long,” Lori shared. “It’s absolute cuteness overload here!”
After months of searching, Kiley finally found her perfect feline friend—and Sinatra found the loving home he’d always deserved.
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