Sweet Orange Cat Returns to Shelter After 5 Years and the Reason Is Heartbreaking
When an animal gets adopted from a shelter, it's a cause for celebration. Unfortunately, it doesn't always last. "POV: You take in a starving cat and realize you know exactly who he is," the on-screen text sets the scene for the video below. As the clip unfolds, we get more of the story and a good look at how lovable this sweet boy is. The video tells us this pretty kitty, named Mishkin, was adopted in 2021, but he's come back to the rescue organization. They contacted his family, but never got a response.
The caption has the heartbreaking story of this Orange Cat, "This type of situation doesn't happen often, but it happens. We don't know how Mishkin lost everything, but we are so thankful that a Good Samaritan found him and brought him to us. Mishkin is 6 years old, and we currently don't know much [about whether] he is good with other cats or dogs since returning to the shelter." It's always so hard to see a cat abandoned after adoption.
@frangrzesik This type of situation doesn't happen often, but it happens. We don't know how Mishkin lost everything, but we are so thankful that a good samaritan found him and brought him to us. Mishkin is 6 years old, and we currently don't know much if he is good with other cats or dogs since returning to the shelter. Since he isn't medically cleared to leave the facility he isn't posted on our website, but you can still apply to adopt him at nawsus.org by submitting a generic cat adoption application. You also can message me or e-mail me if you have any questions. I'm sorry for the sad post tonight, but I wanted to share his story. I'm sending you guys all of my love, and please send Mishkin tons of love his way. #adopt#adoptdontshop#catadoption#cats#cat
Stuff We Did - Michael Giacchino
TikTok audiences came together to show their support for Mishkin. "At least he found his way back to you," @shaymayy praised. He's clearly in the right place to find his forever home. @maddy! had a really good idea, "I am begging y'all to keep him as an office cat or something, coincidences don't just happen like that every day." The shelter will certainly try to get him to the right place. We loved what @emi put out there, "He looks so sweet and sensitive. I hope he quickly finds a family who deserves him."
Related: Senior Cats Struggling to Get Adopted Just Because of Their Age Will Make You Cry
Why Cats Get Returned to Shelters
There's nothing worse than when a feline thinks they have found their humans, and then winds up back where they started, in a shelter. Faunalytics took a look at why animals end up returned to shelters. The number one reason found in this particular study was behavioral issues, followed by personal reasons, like a death in the family. "The results of this study suggest that cats are returned for many different reasons that may differ depending on a cat's age, location in the shelter, and other external circumstances."
The good news is that most cats who were sent back did get adopted again. We can only hope that will be true for Mishkin.
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 6:20 AM.