Rescuer’s Theory for Why Lovable Cats Like Joan Wait for Weeks to Find Their Home

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You know things are challenging in rescue when a kitten called “the most affectionate kitten we’ve ever rescued” finds it hard to find a home. But sometimes, they just need a spotlight so their humans can see them and recognize what makes them “the one.” With that in mind, here’s the story of a kitten named Joan Mitchell, who has waited months for a home despite being purrfect.

Joan’s pictures from her adoption profile

Joan Mitchell Is The Most Affectionate Kitten Ever

Joan Mitchell was an amazing American artist who painted with big, bold splashes of color. And you can see how this kitten’s calico or dilute calico coat, might inspire such a name. She’s mostly a blank canvas of white with bold splotches of black and gold. Somebody could have painted her fur, and her tail looks like a graceful paintbrush dipped in all three colors.

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Joan as seen on TikTok/kittenrescuelife

Joan was one of the rare lucky ones, finding a safe place with her siblings at The Kitten Rescue Life in early March 2024. But for some reason, she watched as all of her siblings found homes at the local adoption center. While she remained there, they were all adopted, one by one.

After three weeks and two adoption events, people just walked by and overlooked her. It was puzzling because she’s ideal in every way! Happy with kids and other cats, she would make “a great companion for any person or family.”

You can spot Joan in the adoption center in Escondido on July 20th, 2024. But with so many cats and kittens of all ages available, she got overlooked over and over.

Video via TikTok/kittenrescuelife

Joan Gets Her Time in the Spotlight

After three weeks, the cats get a mandatory break and go back to their rescue foster home. That’s when rescuer Amanda discovered she was “the most affectionate kitten” ever (see video below)!

“I’ve spent the last week with her in my home for her one-week break from the adoption center, and let me tell you, this kitten is the embodiment of love and affection,” Amanda shared.

In just a week, Joan endeared herself completely to her rescuers.

“You can pick her up and hold her and she will spread her arms up and stay willingly,” says Joan’s adoption profile. “She loves kids and will sleep beside them all night. She would be very happy as the only pet in the home, so she can hog all the attention. She’s very playful too, and she is very food-motivated.”

A Theory For Why Cats Like Joan Wait for No Apparent Reason

After a week with Joan, Amanda learned many things about her:

She is the most affectionate kitten we’ve ever rescued
She loves people; she loves to give kisses
She holds your face with her paw while giving kisses
She is the definition of a lap cat
She will be your best friend and want to be beside you at all times

Given her prolonged stay, Amanda gave a touching theory that we quite like. We want to believe this is true for each and every cat and kitten.

“I have no idea how she hasn’t found a home yet. Whether there’s a reason or it’s sheer bad luck, but I have a theory about why some kittens end up in our care for longer: They’re just waiting for their perfect person, the one who will love them more than anything in the world.”

Even though it’s very hard not to adopt Joan, rescuers must always learn to say goodbye to continue saving more lives.

“She has made me feel so happy and loved in her time here. She deserves the love she gives, and we hope this video helps spread the word and find her forever person. It’s almost time for her to return to the adoption center, and I’d rather be arranging her adoption.”

As with our favorite stories to tell, this one has a happy ending. On August 3, 2024, sweet Joan found her human.

We are so happy to share JOAN HAS BEEN ADOPTED! Dominique saw our post thanks to a volunteer who shared her video in a local group on Facebook. Dominique instantly fell in love and the feeling was mutual for Joan. She’s already settled in and cuddling with her new mom. She gets to have a Dominique has a little boy who is so excited to have a kitty companion. I know because of the way Joan was with Zephyr, that they will be best friends. Joan has so much love to give and we are all smitten that she found a home to reciprocate all that love right back to her. Happy tails, sweet girl!

To find out more about all the adoptable cat in their care , you can follow them on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. Be sure to check on their website for the pre-adoption questionnaire.