Over the last five years, you might have moved, started a new job, quit, got into a new relationship, got out of one… or started a family perhaps.
But Marriott, a shelter cat… Well, he spent the last five years—more than 2,000 days—waiting to be adopted.
The former stray was found near a Marriott Hotel in Maryland five-and-a-half years ago before being taken to the Chesapeake Feline Association (CFA).
There’s no doubt that Marriott deserves a forever home, but Jaclene Commers, treasurer of the CFA, tells Newsweek that she’s very shy and “will hide around new people,” so they usually just walk straight past her.
While the team at the CFA can’t be sure of her age, it estimates that Marriott is likely somewhere between 6 and 8 years old.
“Marriott came in as a stray from the hotel about five and a half years ago,” Commers said. “She is more of an independent cat and very shy around people she doesn’t know, so she hides around almost everyone.
“I would estimate that she was a stray for around three to six months before joining us.”
Forming connections can be difficult for Marriott as she’s so timid, but fortunately she has managed to make one lasting friendship during her time at the shelter. Commers says that she’s found “a lot of comfort” from her friend Boots, a deaf senior cat.
Commers continued: “Boots does not like people, but [she] and Marriott are often found looking out of the windows together. Boots has the most distinct meow and will just start meowing out of nowhere. Whenever she does that, Marriott will run to her side to comfort her.”
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates that around 3.2 million cats enter shelters each year, and around 2.1 million will get adopted.
Commers and her team at the CFA aren’t going to give up on finding a family for Marriott, and they hope that one day soon she’ll be able to leave the shelter for good.
Her ideal home would be a quiet one, with an owner who is willing to give her the patience and love she desperately needs.
But as the search continues for Marriott’s adopter, the CFA shared her story on TikTok (@chesapeakefeline) to try to find the “sweet, shy and independent girl” her forever home. She’s seen many other cats come and go while she’s remained at the shelter patiently, but now, they feel “it’s her turn to have a family of her own.”
The TikTok video has been viewed over 3,700 times and received over 800 likes so far, and Commers tells Newsweek that it’s already led to some interest in Marriott, but nothing certain as of yet.
“The online reaction has been great, and we started a fundraiser to raise $2,000 for all the 2,000 days that she has been at the shelter waiting,” she added.
With over 100 comments on the TikTok post so far, many have offered their support for Marriott, or shared their hopes that she will get picked soon. One comment reads: “I hope that sweet baby can find a home.”
Another person responded: “Our cat is extremely shy but quite loving with us. Just takes time. Someone please give her a chance.”
While another TikTok user wrote: “Thank you for advocating for her! It’s so tough for black kitties. Hope she gets a safe and loving home soon.”