A special needs tabby cat was just what one Navy veteran needed to calm her anxiety and buoy her spirits.

A heritage of service

Kristin grew up surrounded by Navy life. Service was not just an option; it was part of her family’s story.

“I joined the Navy because all of my family was Navy,” she says, “and I grew up Navy.”

Kristin was stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach in support of the Strike Fighter Squadron 15, or VFA-15. Deployment took her overseas, where she saw different countries and gained friendships that have lasted a lifetime. It was through the Navy that she met her best friend.

After separating from service Kristin settled in Norfolk, Virginia with her 15 year-old son.

The two are homebodies at heart, happiest spending time together with their two gray cats. They even built a catio so the cats could enjoy the outdoors in safety.

Life was full, but change was about to come in the form of a shelter cat who was overlooked due to his special medical needs.

A feline friend

One day early in 2024 Kristin’s son was looking at adoptable pets online on the Virginia Beach SPCA website.

Since 2012 the shelter has partnered with us to make possible more than 600 adoptions. The organization gives our members 25 percent off adoption fees and access to their low-cost veterinary clinic.

But numbers only tell part of the tale; each adoption is meaningful and unique in its own way.

Like Drew. At the time he was a young adult tabby cat with medical challenges, including a severe eye ulcer, neovascularization, and conjunctivitis. These conditions require vigilance and lifelong care to prevent permanent vision loss.

Most adopters shy away from animals who already have medical needs.

Drew had been in one shelter since early November 2023 before being transferred to Virginia Beach SPCA in December. Shelters often transfer pets amongst one another to increase the animals’ exposure and chances of adoption.

Rather than seeing a sick or ailing cat, Kristin and her son saw value in Drew’s life.

“My son saw Drew on the SPCA website and he looked adorable, and he had eye problems, and he wasn’t getting adopted as fast as the other cats,” Kristin recalls. “We were getting ready to lose one of our cats to cancer and decided that our remaining cat Nexus needed a friend.”

Drew was the cat no one else wanted. But his ship came in at the end of January 2024 when Kristin adopted him the same day she was approved into our program.

Curious cat

At first, the adjustment was slow. Drew needed time to learn how to live alongside the family’s other felines.

“It is still taking a while for him to coexist with our two other cats, but he is very loved and happy in his forever home,” Kristin shares.

“Thank you so much for having this program. It is amazing.”

Patience and love helped Drew settle in, and soon his personality began to shine. In no time he revealed himself to be a whirlwind of energy.

“Drew, what can I say about this cat?” Kristin asks.

“He is very energetic, loving, playful, and keeps us on our toes. My friends ask me what is new with Drew [be]cause I always have a funny story about him since he is always up to no good.”

The special needs cat figured out how to open cabinets—and demands meals as though he is being starved. Kristin had to take the extra measure of child-proofing her kitchen.

“I have had to put child locks on my kitchen cabinet doors because of him being so curious,” she says.

Despite Drew’s occasional mischievous behavior, the frisky feline is doing wonders for the Navy veteran’s mental health. She confides her struggles with anxiety, and how our companion pet adoption program offers a healthy and positive way to cope.

“…cats are my therapy”

Beyond all of his antics, Drew came to occupy a more meaningful place in Kristin’s heart. He is a tremendous source of comfort to her just by his mere presence and force of personality.

“No matter how bad of a day I’m having, when I come home and get greeted by my cats it turns my day around,” she says. “And they really help me with my anxiety.”

Shelter staff encouraged Kristin to apply to our companion pet adoption program after she told them that she is a disabled veteran.

Kristin appreciates how we make it easy to apply and adopt, and how we support her throughout the adoption and beyond.

“It was an amazing experience. They are so caring and helpful with advice, helping out with food and everything,” she says.

“I think it’s a great program because my cats are my therapy. We love them endlessly and unconditionally.”

And Drew might not be the last pet the Navy veteran adopts through Pets for Patriots.

“I would definitely recommend using the program, and I will again in the future.”

But it is perhaps the extra love and closeness Drew brought to her home that Kristin values most. The Navy veteran takes joy in witnessing the relationship the special needs cat and her son have created—and how Drew’s vibrant personality has enlivened their household.

“My son has a special bond with him, and he really helped us stay busy and occupied and grieve when we lost our other cat,” she shares. “He is very loving and has a loud purr box that you can hear across the room. And his zoomies are crazy. We love the energy that he brings to our house.”

Drew is proof positive that special needs pets are just like any other. They seek love, security, and companionship—and give back many times in return. And perhaps they know that the people who see value in their lives are pretty special as well.