When we adopt a cat, we expect to spend a lifetime with them. We generally take for granted that lifespan will be many years, and it’s never enough. But sometimes, a cat only has a short time to experience the world. In those cases, a hospice or fospice adoption means everything, helping a cat get the most out of every moment. That’s what a very kind person did for Griffin, a cat from the Humane Society of Greater Dayton.
Griffin Urgently Needed Help
Griffin’s life started difficult, living in an overcrowded home where he was neglected. Then, he developed an extremely rare cancer and found his way to rescuers. As you can see, the cancer caused large growths in his ears, face, nose, and mouth.
Images via Facebook/ Humane Society of Greater Dayton
In such a short time, this cat had to overcome what the shelter described as “unimaginable hardships.” Nevertheless, he remained sweet, loving, and playful as a kitten!
Sadly, the cancer means that he may only have a couple of months to experience what life has to offer. Yet nothing is certain, and maybe he’ll once more overcome the odds.
With time being fleeting, the shelter urgently asked followers to consider a hospice adoption. Surely, he deserves to know a loving home and all that comes with it for whatever time is left.
“Despite the struggles ahead, Griffin’s spirit is fierce. He craves affection, purrs with every touch, and dreams of a warm, loving home to soak up the sun in. We can’t promise a forever, but we can create a happy ending. Can you be the hero Griffin needs?” they wrote.
Video by Dayton Humane:
Rather than live out his time in a shelter, he deserves to know a loving home.
“Griffin has time left, but the shelter isn’t the place for him. We’re searching for a special someone who can offer comfort, love, and a chance to experience pure joy in his remaining days.”
Video by Dayton Humane:
Griffin Gets His Loving Home!
It takes a golden soul to take on the challenges of a hospice adoption. And wonderfully, that’s what Griffin found! Shortly after they shared his story, a kind rescuer came forward to bring him home. Online, many people had happy tears seeing this happen so fast for Griffin.
Nearly 100 people expressed how happy it made them to see this adoption come through!
“Griffin Found His Forever Home! We’re overjoyed to announce that Griffin has found his forever home! His new adopter is an incredible person with a history of rescuing special needs cats, and we’re confident Griffin will be showered with love and care for the time he has left.”
“We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who shared Griffin’s story and helped find him this wonderful home. Your compassion and support mean the world to us!” the Humane Society of Greater Dayton shared.
Image via Facebook/Humane Society of Greater Dayton
You can see more on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
A Spectacular Update on Griffin!
After sharing this story, we were delighted to get an update on Griffin from the Humane Society of Greater Dayton! Look how happy Griffin is, and the pictures of him playing in fall foliage are exquisite!
“Cole & Marmalade, thank you for sharing both Joffrey and Griffin’s stories this week! We have a great update on Griffin in his hospice home. His family says he is fitting in beautifully with their other cats and is helping his new family get the house decorated for Fall.”
Griffin with his cat siblings via Facebook/Humane Society of Greater Dayton
“We are so happy to see him doing well and adjusting to his new home and continue to be so grateful for this family who opened their hearts and home to give Griffin the unconditional love he has always wanted!” they posted.
Griffin looks like he’s having the best time ever in fall foliage decor!
Extremely Rare Malignant Melanoma in Felines
Unfortunately, Griffin has an extremely rare condition for felines: malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer. It’s an aggressive form that tends to affect the eyes, skin, nose, and mouth. Sometimes, it occurs on the skin with fur. Although such tumors are common in dogs, it’s much less common in felines.
In all, only about two percent of cats affected by cancer have this rapidly growing type. Generally, it affects older cats.
As we know, people can get melanoma from overexposure to the sun and UV light. In cats, those with white fur are more at risk for sunburn and resulting carcinoma, especially as they age. But Griffin’s rare form of skin cancer may be due to a spontaneous genetic mutation of the skin’s pigment-producing cells called melanocytes.
We send him and his family lots of love and healing purrs for health and healing. As Marmalade has shown us for over a decade, miracles happen. We must never give up and make the most of every precious day.
