3度被退回動物收容所 14歲高齡貓「終於等到家」收養一周前離世

▲14歲老貓在獲得收養前離世。（圖／翻攝自TikTok／@franflight）

記者李振慧／綜合報導

動物收容所裡其實有許多高齡毛孩也在等待一個幸福的家。美國收容所一隻高齡14歲的貓咪露比(Ruby)，曾3度被送回收容所中，近來雖然獲得收養，卻在與新主人一起生活前離世，收容所希望藉由分享牠的故事，能幫助提高人們關注高齡毛孩議題。

主人過世流落收容所　高齡貓咪等不到收養

位於美國伊利諾州的動物收容所NAWS Humane Society近來在網路上分享，一隻叫做露比的14歲貓咪故事，影片中寫道，「露比原本這周就要被收養了，但牠的身體已經到了該休息的時候」。

@franflight I’m beyond heartbroken to be delivering this news to you all. Ruby was struggling with kidney disease and was clearly at the last leg of her life. My heart is forever grateful to Ruby’s fosters Shelly and Maria who fought for her well being and who selflessly dedicated so much time to making sure she was comfortable during her last days. Thank you to Kendra, who was going to be adopting Ruby. Thank you Kendra, for being so kind during this entire process. Thank you for being so willing to open your home to a senior animal who truly needed a home. This is the reality of trying to help the senior cats. They are the ones who truly need us to show up for them. Thank you to everyone who shared Ruby’s story as it did lead to finding a wonderful home who was going to welcome her with open arms. I’m sending you guys all of my love, and I’m sorry for such a sad update. I hope you all feel both of our love from afar. #cat #adoptdontshop #catsoftiktok #catadoption #adopt ♬ original sound - ????

工作人員表示，原本是寵物貓的露比，在前任主人過世後被送到收容所，由於來到收容所時已經是高齡寵物，導致牠和其他年輕的寵物相比更不容易獲得收養，雖然3度獲得收養機會最後都被退回，一直在等待願意帶牠回家的人。

好不容易再次盼到收養機會的露比，沒想到當新飼主期待能帶牠回家時，露比卻先一步離開人世。

生命最後一程不孤單　收容所盼大眾關注高齡毛孩

工作人員表示，其實收容所內有許多像露比一樣的高齡毛孩，由於健康狀況、壽命較短，與大多數人比較喜歡幼犬、幼貓等原因，導致長期只能生活在收容所中，不過露比最後的時光仍是充滿愛的，身邊包圍著一直愛牠與關心牠的工作人員。

影片曝光後許多網友留言，「太令人難過了，但我很高興牠離世前身邊充滿著愛」、「牠很幸運，能來到你的收容所」、「露比去天堂和老主人團聚了」、「希望更多人能願意給高齡毛孩一個機會」。