Copyright newsweek
A homeless cat who is losing his bakery home has gone viral after his story was shared online, touching thousands of hearts across social media. The post, shared by the shelter’s Instagram account, Cole & Friend’s Animal Rescue (@coleandfriendsrescue), has garnered more than 8,000 likes. “Stefan showed up at a local bakery unit around two years ago. We don’t know his exact age, but we estimate he’s between six and 10 years old. When he first appeared, he was semi-feral, very wary of people and wouldn’t allow anyone to touch him. He was also extremely dirty, which is often a sign that a cat has lost hope and stopped grooming himself. It’s possible he was born on the streets, given how cautious and independent he was,” a spokesperson for Cole and Friends Animal Rescue told Newsweek. In the Instagram post, written from Stefan’s perspective, the cat reflected on his years spent loyally guarding the bakery. He described himself as a “loyal little worker” who kept the business company but admitted he was getting older. A split image of Stefan the cat. With the bakery preparing to relocate, Stefan worried about what would come next, saying he wants to find a safe place to live. According to Cole & Friends Animal Rescue, the bakery staff began leaving food out for Stefan every day, slowly earning his trust. Over nearly two years, Stefan went from avoiding people to allowing gentle pets. When the bakery team learned they would soon be relocating, they reached out to the rescue to ensure the cat would have a safe place to go. “This Saturday, we are taking Stefan into one of our temporary foster homes to see how he adjusts to indoor life, using a litter box, being around people, and feeling secure in a home environment. He will also have his first vet visit very soon,” the rescue said. Founded in 2021, Cole & Friends Animal Rescue is a small, volunteer-run organization based in the U.K. dedicated to helping cats who are lost, abandoned, or surrendered. The group operates entirely through foster homes rather than cages, allowing cats to experience comfort and routine before adoption. Volunteers also help with adoptions, vet care, and fundraising efforts such as the rescue’s Facebook Flea Market, which helps cover medical expenses. “The response to Stefan’s story has been incredible. We have received more messages and applications than we ever expected. We are so grateful for everyone’s compassion and patience while we review each foster application carefully,” the rescue added. They explained that Stefan’s potential adopters will be confirmed once his FIV status is known, as some applicants already have cats or live outside the rescue’s main areas of London, Nottingham, and Doncaster. FIV stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus—it’s a virus that affects a cat’s immune system, similar to how HIV affects humans. “Every cat deserves warmth, a soft bed, gentle hands, healthy food, and good healthcare, and we are so hopeful Stefan’s time has finally come,” the spokesperson said. Instagram users flooded the comments with messages of love and support. “Boosting for little Stefan to find a home soon,” one user wrote.“Hope someone takes this sweet boy, heartbreaking that he is tired and just needs a peaceful home to rest. Please update us when he gets adopted, if possible,” shared another. Others added, “I love Stefan,” “He’s SO beautiful,” and “He is so adorable. I pray he finds a good home.” Another admirer simply wrote, “Oh my goodness what a good and chonky cheeked boy!” Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
