Earlier this year, a cat named Burp arrived at NAWS Humane Society. He’d been living on the streets as a stray when a Good Samaritan noticed he looked really beat up and brought him into the shelter.
When Burp first got to the humane society, he was in rough shape. He was in pain from his injuries and acted completely shut-down and terrified.
But the shelter’s staff and volunteers could tell that under his rough exterior, he had a sweet personality. Day by day, they worked to put him at ease and get him more comfortable.
“We spent hours … patiently trying to earn his trust, and once he finally came out of his shell, all he wanted was to stay close to us,” Fran Grzesik, one of NAWS Humane Society’s directors, told The Dodo.
All it took was a little TLC and gentle attention for Burp to transform into one of the shelter’s most affectionate animals.
@frangrzesikI don’t want to hear any Burp name slander in the comments as he came with the name and apparently knows it! He truly is the sweetest little guy and deserves to be adopted quickly. Our FIV+ cats take SO long to be adopted, but i’m hoping this isn’t the case for him. If you have any questions please feel free to comment or message me, and if you are serious about adopting please submit a cat adoption application at nawsus.org.#adoptdontshop#cat#kitten#adoption#catlover♬ Evergreen – Richy Mitch & the Coal Miners
“Burp is truly one of the most loving cats I have ever interacted with,” Grzesik said. “You can tell he truly craves that human connection and wants to be with someone 24/7.”
But despite Burp’s sweet nature and deep desire for companionship, he was overlooked by potential adopters for things completely out of his control.
“He’s a little older, has FIV, and looks like he had been outside for a long time,” Grzesik said. “Sadly, animals like him are so often overlooked no matter how sweet and loving they are.”
As Grzesik was forced to put Burp back in his kennel day after day, her heart broke more and more. She spent as much time as possible with him, but it was never enough for Burp.
“Burp hates being left alone,” Grzesik wrote on TikTok.
Each time Grzesik had to say goodbye, he would beg her to stay. As she would try to gently close the kennel door, he’d worm his way out to get one last nuzzle in.
@frangrzesikBurp is currently in the process of being adopted and will be officially going home sometime this week! 😭🤍🫂 Oh my sweet boy Burp is SO special and doesn’t deserve to sit in the shelter just because he has FIV. Please give this boy a chance as he truly is such a loving boy. If you are interested in adoption please submit an adoption application at nawsus.org. Please give this boy a chance!😭🫂🤍#adopt#cat#catsoftiktok#adoptdontshop#kitten♬ I Love You, I’m Sorry – Gracie Abrams
“No animal loves going back into their cage, but Burp’s reaction broke my heart,” Grzesik said. “It wasn’t about the size or comfort of his cage, but more about the loneliness that came with it. Going back in meant the people he had just opened up to were leaving him.”
Luckily, Burp didn’t have to stay in the shelter much longer. Grzesik’s TikTok about Burp caught the eye of a woman named Anna, who decided she wasn’t going to let the sweet cat spend even one more night in his kennel.
“Anna … dropped everything to come meet him,” Grzesik said. “She didn’t hesitate. She saw him, saw his heart, and chose him.”
Now Burp never has to be alone again. For the rest of his life, he’ll get all the cuddles and snuggles his heart desires.
If you’d like to support NAWS Humane Society, you can make a donation here.