After walking 12 miles to find the family that gave him away, only to be dumped at an animal shelter and slated for euthanization, a beautiful ginger cat named Toby has now found his forever home — and Internet fame!
According to the Wake County SPCA, the fluffy seven-year-old feline initially was a stray cat that tried to insert himself into a local household, but did not get along well with the cats who already lived there. He was re-homed with a new family, but this didn’t suit the determined feline, who made the journey back to his old home in search of the people he had chosen. Heartbreakingly for this loyal boy, the family didn’t want Toby back, and they passed him on to a local shelter to be euthanized.
Toby’s expedition caught the attention of international press and the story of his odyssey went viral on social media, where thousands of people fell in love with the handsome cat.
Image Credit: SPCA of Wake County
This social media fame helped him find his perfect new home, and he now has his very own Instagram account with more than 26,000 followers. Toby now lives in New Hampshire with new mom Michele Puckett, who saw a post about Toby on the Instagram account of Howard Stern’s wife, Beth Stern. She instantly decided to adopt this sweet kitty, who gets on superbly with his new clan — which includes two other cats.
“He is just so sweet, cuddly and loving,” said Michele Puckett. “He’s also pretty much taken over our bed, as if he’s lived here forever. He loves to relax and lay under our pillows.”
Image Credit: SPCA of Wake County
Diagnosed with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Toby needs a bit of extra TLC and special medical care. The condition can weaken a cat’s immune system and make them prone to other infections. But a caring and supportive home environment means Toby can hope to live a healthy and happy life for many years to come.
The Wake County SPCA who helped re-home Toby are using his newfound fame to help raise funds for other animals in need of a helping hand. They are hosting a special dog walk on May 6, and people can make donations to support Toby’s Team.
“Toby’s story is very special,” says Tara Lynn, communications manager for Wake County SPCA. “It’s resonated with a lot of people. There are a lot of Tobys out there. That’s why we’re asking people to walk or donate or get involved with their local rescue. We can’t save them all unless we have the resources to do so.”
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THANK YOU a million times to ALL who saw the value of Toby — cannot believe the hubris of the family who wanted him dead — they neglected him and betrayed him — they figured he was unwantable by everyone else on the planet — as if we humans are all alike — hubris on top of ignorance — or maybe it’s just plain depraved indifference — they SHOULD NOT be in possession of any animals — I would NEVER ADOPT OUT animals to them — again, THANK YOU to his new people — his new family — he is NOW LOVED.
he is gorgeous, and so loving and friendly, i am so glad he now has a safe loving home, poor wee thing deserves that and more, im so glad he has siblings to play with too, good luck to him xxx
Wonderful to see he now has a beautiful, loving home.
Thank you for taking this beautiful kitty cat into your home and showing him love. As for the monsters who did this to him need to pay, this is an injustice.
i agree with you xx
Thank you, Ms. Michele Puckett, for your loving and compassionate heart. I hope those evil creeps who rejected this poor animal, after he walked 12 miles to be with them again, get the karma they so truly deserve. They also wanted him euthanized and for what??? Being an unwanted pet???? Thank God that a grand person like Michele came along. Lots or hugs and thanks go out to you, Michele.
Love him . he deserves better than shitty people.
People have no soul.
A “FURRY FRIEND”…..IS A LIFE TIME “TRUE FRIEND” MUCH LOVE/HAPPINESS BROUGHT TO ANY HOME!!!!
“GOD BLESS” MICHELLE & FAMILY….HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM….
Thrilled that Toby has found Michelle and his new loving family. When you foster you put your heart & soul into each furry one. Lucky kitty, lucky family. Looks like Toby is where he was always meant to be.
whoever perpetrated this horror on this baby should be identified and KNEE-CAPPED (sic), male or female, and left where they fall…
Oh MY! This poor, poor baby! They didn’t want Toby but Toby wanted them….so badly he walked 12 miles back to find them and faced all the dangers he did along the way! Then this no-good for nothin’ family dumps him at a shelter and says “kill him”! These “people” (and I use that term loosely) are the animals here! They are the ones who should be dumped at the shelter and said “kill ’em!”!
But look at Toby now! God Blessed his little soul, held Toby in His loving hands and now Toby has one of the best homes probably he ever could have! Thank you Beth and Howard for taking Toby for the rest of his days and making him happy and a huge part of your family!!
Such cruel ex-owners to treat their cat the way they did. They lack compassion for wanting to euthanize him after he walked 12 miles to be with them. Bet they never even tried to find him a home- MAJOR JERKS. Toby has more love and compassion in his heart than these SCUMBAGS ever will. Really glad he found a home with a descent, loving person. Thank-you!
Perhaps his previous ‘owners’ will get dumped in exactly the same way by their family when they’re old or sick. Serves them right if that happens. So pleased that Toby has found a family that wants him forever…….
Je suis heureuse que Toby et trouver son bonheur soit heureux Toby ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
I’m glad that Toby had a second chance and finally went to a loving furever home.
I wish there were more shelters like Wake County SPCA. On Twitter there are so many stories about animals that don’t get the second chance that Toby was given and it’s encouraging. You said an example of what I wish more shelters could be wild animals wait there forever homes. We used to go to shelters to get our cats and have been grateful they have passed with us but now we have found so many outside in need that we bring them in and spay and neuter and give them forever inside Kitty homes. Take care of us so much love in return we always ask that people keep their kitties inside and not ever breed an always spay and neuter. Some of them were so afraid and have turned out to be so gentle and loving after even months of kindness are still a little skittish but are now are Forever part of our family. Thank you for your inspiration. Cats are capable of so much love and kindness if given a chance.
His beautyful eyes are asking :”What is wrong with me ? Why don’t you love me ? I still love and miss you so much.”
What a lovely cat, he deserves to have a very happy rest of his life!
unbelievable how mean and heartless and low level people can be. Thank God he has a new loving family.
Wow what a lovely thing to do to a precious animal that was only showing his family how much he loved and missed them by walking back to them all that way. He was just showing them how much he care and how did they thank him? That is a very good reason to euthanize an animal, your morons. Let’s hope some day you don’t get tired of your children and decide to send them away, should they not happen to get along with each other. I am glad that baby has a new home and I hope he’s not thinking of his previous owners at all. The reasons and excuses people have to end an animals life is beyond believable. Please family, don’t get anymore pets.
I hope this non caring family who did this to this amazing cat reads the story about what this poor thing went threw .I’m so happy that he found a loving happy home and for not doing what they wanted you to do . It’s good to know there’s still good people in this world Thank you All
I hope this non caring family who did this to this amazing cat reads the story about what this poor thing went threw .I’m so happy that he found a loving happy home and for not doing what they wanted you to do . It’s good to know there’s still good people in this world Thank you All
Love you Toby !
I am so happy Toby found a new loving ,adoptive, home. Stupid family that gave her up ! Wish I can join the walk.
I am very happy that the shelter did not follow what the horrid family wanted. He would have been killing, not euthanized as he was healthy. I hope the family got wind of what people thought of them (though probably not) as they deserve to be shamed for what they did.
Happy ending . Love Toby having a real family. A loving family.
But just a thought. — grateful that the former owners took him to a vet and didn’t just dump him somewhere —. Or worse.
After all the hardship, rejection and near euthanization – I am so glad Toby has finally found his purrfect home!!
So glad this kitty found a home, the old people never should have had a cat.
even Roman Polanski liked Kitty Kats…(Chinatown)
BEAUTIFUL! — thank you to all the wonderful people who saved Toby’s life — at every level — until he finally received his new loving permanent home.
Beautiful boy. Happy ending is always nice.
Beautiful boy. Happy ending is always nice.
How wonderful that this kitty has finally found his forever home!! Have a wonderful life little kitty!! ❤️?
what sort of sick assholes act like that – why do they have pets, as they obviously hate animals and do not give a shit if they live or die. Anyway I am happy for Toby – he found a much better home – the poor cats left with the other family should be saved as well – who knows when they grow sick of them and decide to kill them….
Fantastic !
(I adopted an FIV cat from a kill list, he is super duper sweet !)
These animals need more fame !
Of course,there should be laws against heartless people who throw away a loving sentient creature.Disgusting.
Of course,there should be laws against heartless people who throw away a loving sentient creature.Disgusting.
Blessings to ALL who helped in any way in saving Tobyy’s life & securing this wonderful forever home with the Pucketts. Thank you Michelle and family for opening your home and hearts to this special boy. He looks incredibly happy and loved!! Many years of happiness and purring!!!! ?
I am so happy to hear that precious cat has found a very loving forever home. He is very sweet and very loving. May God bless you for helping him find someone who cares for him and gives him the love he deserves.