PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A Philadelphia cat up for adoption is getting some love on social media despite his health condition that a local shelter says is turning people away.
Leonard is a black-and-white tuxedo cat at PSPCA’s Philadelphia shelter. The eight-and-a-half-year-old boy (roughly 50 in human years) is looking to settle down with a loving owner in his middle age.
But Leonard has benign mast cells – in other words, tumors – growing on his face and ears, which led to a heartbreaking and highly visible plea for his adoption posted on social media on Wednesday, Valentine’s Day.
The first of a multi-post thread on X read:
“Leonard is one of the sweetest cats we have ever met.
Any time someone passes his kennel he is sure to greet them with a chirping meow and outstretched paws.
But, sadly, once potential adopters turn to see him, they leave the room with quiet snickers and whispers.”