21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
‘TikTok famous' cat needed a home. Adoption left NC shelter ‘over the moon'
A cat with a rough past became 'TikTok famous' — then his luck took another turn for the better.
Theodore, known for his 'toothless' grin and charming high-pitched noises, finally was adopted in North Carolina.
'We are OVER THE MOON,' the Humane Society of Catawba County wrote April 19 on Facebook. 'From barn life to shelter life to home life, Theodore's journey hasn't been easy, but his heart has always been full of love (and the most adorable squeaks). His new family saw exactly what we've known all along: that Theodore is one in a million.'
Theodore got a fresh start after he faced hardship. He lost his previous owner and was diagnosed with feline immunodeficiency virus, a disease that weakens cats' immune systems.
'Once a beloved indoor pet, he was tossed into barn life after his owner passed and exposed to FIV,' the shelter wrote on social media April 16, when Theodore was still in need of a home. 'But now he's back indoors and living his best calm, cozy life. FIV hasn't slowed him down — it just means he needs an adopter who's cool with regular vet checkups.'
As the 9-year-old cat waited for a second chance, video captured him staring through a shelter door. The footage was posted March 30 on TikTok, with the caption: 'went to the humane society today to adopt a cat. this one caught my attention right away...'
In less than a month, the post has garnered more than 885,000 views. Some people who commented on the video noticed Theodore's smiling face, while others couldn't wait for an adoption update.
Meanwhile, the shelter attributed the cat's TikTok stardom to 'his endearingly goofy expression (thank you, missing teeth).' Theodore also became known for his love of naps and cuddling.
Eventually, the person who took the TikTok video adopted him, according to Kaitlyn Ewing, the shelter's director of intake, rescue and foster coordination. A photo posted online shows Theodore snuggling in someone's arms as he kicked off his next chapter.
'Staff members were sad to see him leave, as he was a favorite here, but very happy he will get the best second chance after we fought so hard to find his forever home,' Ewing told McClatchy News via email. 'He was the most personable, funny-faced, sweet cat you could ever meet.'
The humane society is in the Hickory area, a roughly 55-mile drive northwest from Charlotte.
