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Home › Cat tales › Adult cat makes Army veteran’s empty nest feel like home again

Adult cat makes Army veteran’s empty nest feel like home again

March 2, 2020Cat tales

Adult cat makes Army veteran's empty nest feel like home again

Travis thought he wanted a dog. But it was an adult cat in a Florida animal shelter that made the Army veteran reconsider his adoption plans.

The dignity of service

After separating from service Travis moved to Florida, where he currently works for the local county utilities. Life for the post-9/11 veteran is far more tranquil than during his tour of duty overseas.

Travis served during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and the lesser known Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). The latter was a military campaign with partner nations to eliminate the threat of ISIS in Iraq and around the world.

During his service Travis spent time in Taji and Al Taqaddum, Iraq. He served as a culinary specialist, or 92G, responsible for preparing and serving food in theater.

Napoleon Bonaparte is believed to have said, “An Army marches on its stomach.”

Travis was aware that his job was a vital part of helping fellow service members maintain optimal health and combat readiness. He recalls a particularly memorable moment during his deployment to Iraq.

“Serving hot breakfast to the Marines who spent all night on the lines,” he recalls. “They were thankful to just have a hot meal.”

Filling an empty nest

In July 2019 Travis applied to Pets for Patriots with the hope of adopting a companion pet. Like many veterans we serve, he found us online.

“We heard a story about pets for Patriots and decided to see if we even qualify for the program,” he shares. “Took us a while to make the decision of what pet to look for.”

Adult cat makes Army veteran's empty nest feel like home again

At the time he applied, the Army veteran expressed interest in a dog. About 85 percent of companion pets adopted through our program are dogs. Still, cats are eligible for adoption as well as long as they are either adult cats, those with special needs, or have been homeless for six months or more.

Travis looked to pet adoption as a way to fill his empty nest.

“We were looking for a pet to complete our family. Our kids have all grown and moved out,” he says. “Time to fill that empty room with none other than a cat.”

Perhaps the Army veteran was surprised that he and his wife decided on a cat. And not just any feline, mind you, but an adult cat who would fill their empty nest with joy.

Adult cat makes herself at home

Nearly six months after he was approved into our program Travis went to Humane Society of Pinellas.

Since 2010, the shelter has worked with us to find loving homes for some of the more overlooked dogs and cats in their care. The organization waives pet adoption fees for veterans in our program, and offers a three-day hold for individuals who are in the process of applying to Pets for Patriots.

Kitty Kat was one such pet. At the time – just days after Christmas – she was a six year-old adult cat. She is mostly black with distinctive white patches, including on her nose.

Travis was determined to adopt a more mature pet.

“We selected a six year-old cat,” he says. “Most people tend to over look the older animals. Yes, an older animal could have health issues or concerns, but just like humans they become themselves.”

Adult cat makes Army veteran's empty nest feel like home again

The Army veteran believes that when you adopt an older or senior pet what you see is what you get. He liked the fact that Kitty Kat was already mature and more subdued than a kitten; Travis was not looking for a “wild child.”

Kitty Kat wasted no time getting adjusted to her new life. She has been getting acquainted with the couple’s dog, but is not a fan of every creature in the house.

“She is still not sure about the robot vacuum,” Travis observes.

Still – although she tips the scales at just over 12 pounds – the adult cat has already made big changes in Travis’ well-being and routine.

“The cat has allowed us to step back and relax,” he shares. “We use to spend hours just watching Netflix. Now we have to take turns entertaining the cat.”

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6 comments

  1. Gail S. says:
    March 8, 2020 at 1:34 pm

    Thank you Travis! I am a fairly new volunteer at HSP and loved hearing your story.

  2. Natasha Brenner says:
    March 4, 2020 at 10:53 pm

    I envy you, Travis! I am 98 and miss my 18-year old cat that died a year ago. I yearn for a cat, but it’s not in the cards for me any more.

  3. Virginia Matney says:
    March 3, 2020 at 11:37 am

    Thank you for your service and your decision to save an older shelter pet, especially a cat. There is such a tremendous need for getting adult cats homes. Once again thank you!

  4. John A. Smaldone says:
    March 3, 2020 at 11:06 am

    Way to go Travis. Kitty Kat is a beautiful Cat and 6 years old for a Cat is not that old, you and your family should have many years of happiness with Kitty Kat.

    Last but not least, thank you for your service Travis, good luck to you, your family and naturally Kitty Kat!

    John A. Smaldone
    US Air Force Veteran

    PS: We adopted a Dog named Copper through Beth and Pets For Patriots, great people and Copper is doing great!

    1. Travis Cool says:
      March 3, 2020 at 3:22 pm

      Thank you! She has quickly taken ownership of the entire house. Anything she can lay on becomes hers. I left the ironing board up and now she thinks it’s her new perch.

  5. LS says:
    March 3, 2020 at 9:22 am

    Beautiful, heartwarming story. Congratulations to KittyKat and her new family. Thanks to Pinellas shelter for participating.

Comments are closed.

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Pupdate from Pinini!! Almost 2 years ago this now Pupdate from Pinini!!

Almost 2 years ago this now 5 year-old precious pibble hit the adoption jackpot. James was honorably separated from the Army and in need of a 4-legged battle buddy.

Mission accomplished! Thanks to the Fulton County campus of @lifelineanimal Pinini's adoption fee was waived - leaving more coin for James to spoil his BFF. This dynamic duo are now livin' large in the great state of Texas.

Are you a current or former member of the U.S. military interested in adopting your own pet pal? Click the link in our bio to learn more and apply!

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Who's going to win this epic battle? Vote!! Who's going to win this epic battle? Vote!!
**Application window for Hairy's adoption closes t **Application window for Hairy's adoption closes today May 31!!**

This amazing Dog In Residence at @bobbyhotel is ready to check out of the hotel forever and into a loving home with a veteran living within 40-driving miles of our partners @NashvilleHumane! 

Click the link in our bio to apply. Hurry; Hairy's waiting!

Gratitude to @todayinnashville for sharing Hairy's need. 🥰

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Thank you for your service, Keisha, and for being Thank you for your service, Keisha, and for being a hero to a pet in need!

Keisha serves in the Army National Guard and just added two year-old Toby to her pack. Thanks to our partners @bmorehumane Toby's adoption fee was waived, and this big pup's 'welcome home' gift card and year of post-adoption follow up are generously sponsored by a grant we received from @veteransunitedfoundation ...woot!!

#army #armystrong #armynationalguard #nationalguard #femaleveteran #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #hounds #houndsofinstagram #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #petsforvets #baltimore
On Memorial Day we reflect upon the men and women On Memorial Day we reflect upon the men and women who died while serving in the United States armed forces - and give gratitude and comfort to our Gold Star families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

The holiday is not about the sales, the barbecues, the day off from work. But that our lives as we know them were made possible in large part by brave souls who died in service, please pause from whatever you are doing today to remember that freedom is not free - and while all veterans give some, some have given all.

#memorialday #memorialday2023 #honorthefallen #honorvets #freedom #freedomisntfree #freedomisnotfree #army #navy #marines #airforce #coastguard #goldstarfamilies #ultimatesacrifice #somegaveall
**THIS** is what rescued looks like/sounds like: **THIS** is what rescued looks like/sounds like:

"She has been such a joy to me. She loves me and I love her. Thank you assisting me with giving her a forever home." ~ Lisa, Army veteran, on her one-year adoption anniversary to Nala.

The now 8 year-old cat was in the care of our partners @phillypaws which waives adoption fees for veterans in our program. Please consider older pets when you adopt; they have so much joy to give!

#adoptaseniorcat #adoptaseniorpet #cats_of_instagram #catsofinstagram #catsofig #rescuecatsofinstagram #rescuecat #armyveteran #femaleveteran #armystrong #philadelphia
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There's just something about Hairy! For the past y There's just something about Hairy!
For the past year this handsome hound has been the resident dog ambassador at @bobbyhotel where he's been a guest favorite, greeting all visitors (2- and 4-legged alike). 

Now it's Hairy's time to check out of the hotel and into the home of a U.S. veteran living within a 40-mile driving distance to our partners @nashvillehumane.

Application deadline is Monday, May 31 - Memorial Day! 🇺🇸

What you should know about Hairy:
❤ Loves frolicking in the yard and working on his frisbee-catching skills
❤ Adores car rides - a great travel buddy!
❤ Visits to the beach? Yes, please!
❤ Expert snuggler, couch curler-upper
❤ Active household that loves adventure - a must!
❤ Good with both dogs and cats...furreal!

Veterans living within 40 driving miles of our partners Nashville Humane Association must apply both to the shelter and Pets for Patriots by Monday, May 31. Hurry for Hairy!

Apply to NHA: https://nashvillehumane.org/news/nha-pets/hairy/

Apply to PFP: https://pfp.care/adopt

Stay tuned in the coming weeks to meet Hairy's new humans! P.S. Click the link in our bio to learn more about this exciting 'Hotel to Home' partnership!
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