A woman visited Anne Arundel County Animal Control in Maryland, searching for a new companion.
As she wandered past the cages, she spotted Mojo, an 11-year-old affectionate cat who immediately caught her attention.
His soft fur and gentle eyes melted her heart, and she knew right away that he was the one.
Without hesitation, she completed the adoption paperwork and took him home, excited to give him the loving home he deserved.
But something unexpected happened when they arrived home.
As soon as she set Mojo down, he turned to her, hugged her tightly, and started sobbing uncontrollably. The woman was stunned—she had never seen a cat react like this before.
It was clear that something was deeply wrong.
Confused and concerned, she called the shelter to ask if they knew why he was so distressed.
That’s when she learned the heartbreaking truth.
Mojo had not been alone when he arrived at the shelter.
His best friend, Max, a 16-year-old senior cat, had been taken in at the same time.
Due to shelter policies, the two were placed in separate cages, and when Mojo was adopted, Max was left behind.
The woman’s heart sank. She couldn’t bear the thought of these two lifelong companions being separated in their golden years.
Determined to make things right, she returned to the shelter the next day.
As soon as she laid eyes on Max, she knew she couldn’t leave him behind. With tears in her eyes, she completed the adoption process and brought him home.
When Mojo saw Max again, it was as if a missing piece of his heart had been restored.
The two cats immediately nuzzled into each other, their bond unbroken despite the brief time apart.
Chris, a shelter volunteer, shared the emotional reunion on Facebook, writing, “Mojo has been a wonderful pet, she said, but she couldn’t get Max out of her mind.
‘The idea of him living out his life in a cage just broke my heart,’ she said.
So, yup, she was back today to adopt Max and reunite the two friends. Have great lives together, Max and Mojo!”
Sadly, things don’t always end this well for senior pets.
Many older animals struggle to find homes as adopters often overlook them in favor of younger companions.
But thanks to this woman’s kindness, Mojo and Max will get to spend their final years together, safe and loved.
“You see the best and the worst of human behavior at a public animal shelter; we see much more good than bad, however,” Chris said on Facebook.
Mojo and Max’s story is a reminder that love and friendship know no age—and that sometimes, a second chance isn’t just about finding a home, but about keeping a family together.
