As soon as Erin G. and Sara B. spotted photos of Sanderson, an eight-year-old brown tabby on the ASPCA^®’s website, they were smitten.

Prepared for a New Pet

Erin and Sara both grew up with animals. Sara was allergic to cats, so she was indifferent towards them, “…but when Erin and I met and I got to know her cat Darren, I understood the appeal.”

Sara began getting allergy shots so she could spend time with Erin at her apartment with her cat Darren. When Darren passed away, Erin planned to wait a year before adopting another cat, but after three months she was more than ready.

Sanderson’s Road to Recovery

Originally transferred to the ASPCA from Animal Care Centers of NYC’s Brooklyn shelter, Sanderson was a stray in desperate need of medical attention.

“There was a large wound of his right cheek, a smaller wound on his left cheek, and some superficial wounds on his neck area,” explains Dr. Felicia Magnaterra, Manager of Adoptions Veterinarians at the ASPCA. Sanderson also had a ruptured ear drum, a history of ear mites, and urinary tract obstructions. Under the veterinary team’s watchful eyes, most of Sanderson’s wounds healed unremarkably.

Sanderson’s multiple medical issues and age made it difficult for him to find a home that was the right fit. Since his arrival, he had been adopted and returned twice to the Adoption Center. The ASPCA staff were all rooting for this sweet boy!

Meeting Sanderson in Person

On a rainy Sunday afternoon, Erin and Sara visited the ASPCA to meet Sanderson, who was living in a staff member’s office at the time.

“He was sleeping and got up immediately,” recalls Erin. “He head-butted my hand and let me pet him.”

They couldn’t wait to make Sanderson a part of their family and decided to take him home that day. Life with Sanderson since has been full of love and new routines for the family.

“There’s a sweetness to him,” says Erin. “If you lean your face in toward him, he’ll lean in toward you and his eyes will cross. He’s one-of-a-kind.”