A five-year-old cat named Byakuva, who was abandoned at a shelter for an unusual reason, has finally found a loving home. According to Orange County Animal Services (OCAS), Byakuva was abandoned because he was “eating too much.” The shelter’s photographer shared the story on Instagram, revealing the bizarre reason behind his abandonment.
In the video, it was explained that Byakuva’s previous owner claimed he was “selfish” for not leaving food out for their other cat. Despite OCAS staff suggesting simple solutions like feeding the cats separately, the owner refused, saying it was “too much work” to manage different feeding schedules.
Interestingly, a scan of Byakuva’s microchip showed that the woman who abandoned him was not his original owner. He had originally been adopted from the same shelter by her son a year earlier. When contacted, the son acknowledged the problem but ultimately agreed with his mother’s decision to give up Byakuva.
“This poor cat was given up for something as trivial as a big appetite,” Harris, the shelter photographer, wrote in the video’s caption. Byakuva was understandably scared and defensive after being abandoned, hissing at anyone who approached him. His fearful behavior made it difficult for potential adopters to connect with him.
The numbers reflect a larger problem: In 2023, U.S. shelters took in 6.5 million animals, a 4% increase from 2022, according to Shelter Animals Count. By the end of the year, there were 117,000 more cats and dogs in the shelter system than the year before, highlighting the growing need for adoptive families.
Despite his difficult start, Byakuva’s story has taken a positive turn. Just a week after he was abandoned, he was adopted. Bryant Almeida of OCAS told Newsweek that while it took Byakuva a while to let his guard down, many people are drawn to adopting “prickly” cats with big personalities. “People seem to enjoy the challenge of convincing them,” Almeida said. “When Byakuva was adopted, it was like he instinctively knew this was the right person for him.” Today, Byakuva is thriving in his new home, where he is loved and accepted despite his voracious appetite. His new family understands that adoption isn’t always easy, but it is incredibly rewarding. As Almeida wisely noted, “A lot of these animals have lived difficult lives, and I think they want what we all want: peace and security.” »
Byakuva’s journey reminds us that every animal deserves a second chance, and sometimes, the perfect partner is just around the corner.
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