A kind-hearted neighbor discovered a cat living in a storm drain and refused to leave him behind.
In a quiet neighborhood, an orange cat had made a storm drain his shelter. Day after day, he tried to survive alone, darting away from people and hiding in the shadows.
Most people just passed by without a second glance. That was, until one compassionate neighbor stopped. Instead of turning away, she brought him food and gave him a glimmer of hope he’d been waiting for.
Her acts of kindness didn’t go unnoticed, but not everyone approved.
He was found living in a storm drain in a neighborhoodTailsHigh
Before long, she received a notice from her community management warning that feeding stray cats could “lead to consequences.” But she refused to leave him behind. Having adopted from her local rescue, Tails High, in the past, she reached out to them for help.
“With a vacation approaching and Dewey (the cat) depending on her, she contacted us for help,” Tails High shared.
He was shy at first but quickly warmed up to indoor lifeTailsHigh
Determined to ensure Dewey would never have to return to the streets, the neighbor and her family went a step further. “They were ready to foster. They offered Dewey a safe place to land once they returned.”
Dewey was shy at first but began to let his guard down when he realized he no longer had to hide.
He came out of his shell and loved being pettedTailsHigh
Soon, he was playing and exploring. Whenever his people walked in, he’d flop onto his back, belly exposed—a gesture of complete trust. After so many cold nights in a storm drain, Dewey was finally warm, clean, and loved.
“When we hear about friendly strays like Honeydew Melon (Dewey), we always hope there’s a family missing them.”
With newfound confidence, his personality began to shineTailsHigh
They searched extensively for his family, but after weeks with no response, it became clear no one was looking for him. “Dewey wasn’t neutered or microchipped, so it was unlikely he had someone searching for him,” the rescue said. “He received all the vet care he needed, and we began preparing him for adoption.”
With a full belly and the comforts of home, Dewey blossomed into a snuggly, purring teddy bear.
He blossomed into a snuggly teddy bearTailsHigh
As adoption prep began, Dewey fully embraced the luxuries of indoor life, batting at toys, rolling in catnip, basking in the sun by the window, and stretching out his paws as if reaching for the stars.
“Then something magical happened. His foster mom shared photos with her coworkers while chatting about fostering.”
TailsHigh
Soon after, an adoption application arrived for Dewey, and it was the perfect match. Before the rescue even had the chance to post his story, he was on his way to his forever home.
It’s hard to believe that just weeks earlier, Dewey was huddled in a storm drain, surviving on scraps and rainwater. Now, there will be no more hiding, only cozy beds, full meals, and people who adore him.
Dewey has found his forever homeTailsHigh
It took just one person to change the world for Dewey. With a foster home and the support of volunteers, this once-lonely stray is now living the life of his dreams.
“From the sewer to the sofa, Honeydew Melon is living his happily ever after.”
