Meet Cooper, an affectionate 8-year-old cat who adores snuggling and being close to people.
His gentle spirit and loving personality make him a perfect companion — but sadly, he’s still waiting for someone to give him a chance.
A few months ago, Cooper’s world was turned upside down when his family lost their home and had to surrender him to the Humane Society of Broward County (HSBC).
Despite the heartbreak, Cooper has remained sweet and calm, quickly becoming a favorite among the shelter’s staff and volunteers.
“Cooper is a gentle, mellow lap cat who has known a loving home his entire life,” HSBC shared on TikTok.
Given his affectionate nature and easygoing personality, the team expected Cooper to be adopted quickly. But days turned into weeks — and still, no one came for him.
Over time, shelter staff began to suspect that Cooper’s appearance might be the reason. His unique facial markings — which resemble smudges or dirt — were likely causing potential adopters to overlook him.
“He’s not dirty — those are just his markings,” HSBC explained. “He might not be the prettiest kitty, but he doesn’t need a filter to find love.”
It's heartbreaking to think that such a loving animal is being passed over simply because of how he looks. Cooper isn’t just a good cat — he’s an exceptional one.
He’s lived in a home before and is fully socialized. He gets along with dogs, other cats, children, adults, and seniors. And his favorite place in the world? Curled up in someone’s lap.
“He’ll stay there as long as you let him,” HSBC said.
To make it even easier for the right person to bring him home, an HSBC donor has already covered Cooper’s adoption fee. Now all he needs is someone willing to see past appearances and give his story a happy ending.
“It’s heartbreaking to see other animals go home while Cooper continues to wait, especially knowing how special he is,” an HSBC representative told The Dodo.
Everyone at the shelter will miss him dearly, but they’re hopeful the wait means his perfect match is still out there.
“He’s going to make some lucky family incredibly happy,” HSBC said. “We believe he’s still waiting because his forever home is just around the corner.”
If you’re looking for a calm, loving companion who just wants to be by your side, Cooper might be the one you’ve been waiting for. You can view his adoption profile here, and if you’re not ready to adopt but want to help, you can also support the Humane Society of Broward County here.
Cooper may look a little different — but that just makes him all the more special.
