Misty's Legacy: A Life of Love
Misty lived an extraordinary 25 years. Her final chapter was filled with love, comfort, and dignity thanks to Friends of Cats and supporters like you. Your gift helps ensure senior cats never face their final years alone.
The Queen of the Office
When Misty arrived at Friends of Cats in 2020, she was already about 20 years old. Her family loved her deeply, but they were moving across the country and could not take her along. Surrendering a beloved senior cat is one of the hardest decisions a family can face.
Through the shelter's lifetime care program, Misty found a safe, permanent home where she would be loved and cared for every remaining day of her life. This is what makes Friends of Cats different from traditional shelters — every cat accepted into the program receives sanctuary care for life, no matter their age or medical needs.
From the moment she arrived, Misty made herself completely at home. She followed staff around the office, greeted visitors with loud, confident meows, and demanded to be picked up whenever she wanted attention. When someone scratched her cheeks or held her close, she purred so loudly the entire room could hear it.
Sometimes she even drooled a little with happiness.
Her wise face and affectionate personality made her a favorite among staff, volunteers, and visitors alike. Misty wasn't just a resident — she was the queen of the office.
A Remarkable 25 Years
Misty lived an incredible life — reaching the remarkable age of 25 years old, making her one of the oldest cats many people at Friends of Cats had ever known.
For the final five years of her life, this no-kill cat sanctuary in San Diego had the honor of caring for her. She spent her days being held by staff, receiving endless affection from volunteers, greeting curious visitors, and enjoying the comfort of a warm, safe home.
When she passed away peacefully in 2025, she left behind a shelter full of people who loved her deeply. Her loss was felt by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
Misty's story reminds us that every cat — no matter their age — deserves safety, dignity, and love. Senior cats are often the hardest to place and the most overlooked in traditional shelters. Many are surrendered in their final years through no fault of their own, and without programs like lifetime care, they may never find another home.
Every Cat Deserves This
Misty's story isn't unique at Friends of Cats. Every year, dozens of senior and special-needs cats arrive at the sanctuary — cats whose families can no longer care for them, cats found abandoned, cats with medical conditions that make them "unadoptable" elsewhere.
Each of these cats receives the same promise Misty received: a safe home, proper medical care, nutritious food, and daily love for the rest of their lives.
This commitment is only possible because of donors who understand that a cat's value doesn't diminish with age. Caring for senior cats means:
- More frequent veterinary visits — Senior cats need regular wellness exams, dental care, and bloodwork to catch age-related conditions early.
- Specialized nutrition — Older cats often require prescription diets tailored to kidney health, joint support, or digestive sensitivity.
- Comfort and enrichment — Heated beds, low-entry litter boxes, daily grooming, and the human companionship that senior cats crave.
- End-of-life care — When the time comes, every cat at Friends of Cats is surrounded by people who love them. No cat passes alone.
When you donate to Friends of Cats, you're not just helping one cat — you're supporting an entire sanctuary dedicated to the belief that every cat deserves a dignified life, from first breath to last.
Caring for Cats Every Day
Cats cared for daily
Meals prepared each day
Medications administered daily
Litter boxes cleaned daily
Help More Cats Live Like Misty
Senior and special-needs cats often have nowhere else to go. Your tax-deductible donation ensures they receive medical care, warm shelter, nutritious food, and daily love at our San Diego sanctuary.
Misty's Legacy Lives On
Every cat who comes through our doors deserves the same love Misty received. Your support helps provide sanctuary for cats who might otherwise be forgotten.