Forever, No Matter How Long: Ernie's Journey.

Not every second chance comes with years ahead. Sometimes it means making sure the time an animal has left is filled with comfort, care and love.

Some visitors walk into our shelter looking for a kitten. Others come looking for the cats who are too often passed by— the seniors, who may have less time to share but no less love to give.

Ari is one of those people.

That’s how she met Ernie, a beloved, fluffy 15-year-old cat who spent the end of his life being snuggled and pampered—and dining beneath his own personal art gallery above his food bowl.

Ari fostered Ernie for a month before making it official. They celebrated his 16th birthday – and his adoption – with a big party. But at a dental appointment just days later, vets discovered a throat tumor he couldn’t survive.

“It is sad,” she said. “But it can also be a beautiful thing. It made me feel better knowing that he was going to pass away in a forever home.”

Ari’s connection to older animals began with Angel, the Chihuahua she grew up with. Angel was 13 when she developed heart failure. And while the diagnosis crushed Ari, she made it her mission to find joy in every one of their remaining days together.

She has since shared her heart with other seniors, including Ernie, the lanky white fur ball she lovingly deemed her “velcro cat.”

“Ernie was such a lover boy,” she said. “I just wanted to make sure every day was his best day.”

Ari understands why people may hesitate to adopt older animals. They often have expensive and challenging health issues. And there’s a greater chance that goodbye will come sooner. But Ari feels that’s even more reason to advocate for and adopt them.

For her, the heartbreak isn’t what defines the experience. Love does.

“I’ve had to learn that I can’t change the world,” she said. “But I can change one animal’s world. For me, that makes it all worth it.”

As we Walk With Us Into the Future, your support helps animals like Ernie find the care, comfort and love they deserve—no matter how long their forever may be.

Help us reach our $5,000 goal by making a donation here: https://givebutter.com/walk-with-us26