Young Neighbor Gives Stray Cat a Second Chance at Life, and Now He Craves All the Love

A young neighbor gave a stray cat a second chance at life, and now the cat can’t get enough of the love.

An orange, cross-eyed cat was often spotted lingering around an apartment building, clearly seeking attention and a kind hand for a gentle scratch.

Most people ignored him until one day, a mother and daughter stopped to give him some love. “The finder mentioned that this affectionate furball craves attention and never refuses a cuddle, especially from the young girl,” shared Gissell, founder of Paws of Hope NYC, with Love Meow.

“Each day, he would patiently wait outside the building, his eyes lighting up as soon as he saw her.”

Luciano, the cat, was one of the many forgotten animals roaming the streets of NYC. Rescuers are finding it harder to keep up with the rising number of abandoned cats.

“In a world full of uncertainty and danger, this little girl and her mom became his lifeline, giving him a renewed sense of hope and security,” Gissell shared.

When Luciano spotted his favorite young neighbor, he eagerly ran across the yard to greet her. He rubbed his face against her hand and brushed up against her legs, thrilled by the food and pets she showered him with—always the highlight of his day.

“Her love, empathy, and compassion showed him that there is kindness in the world and that he truly deserves care and affection.”

Although the mother and daughter couldn’t take Luciano home, they did everything they could to help him. The mother reached out on social media, hoping to find a loving home or connect him with a rescue organization.

When Gissell saw the post, she quickly sprang into action. She reached out to the finder, visited the neighborhood the next day, and brought the friendly cat to safety.

Gissell arranged for a foster home to care for the sweet kitty and gathered support from the community, ensuring that he would never have to worry about food or shelter again.

“He’s as sweet and charming as ever. Knowing he’s safe and watching him play with toys, so relaxed and happy, brings me so much joy,” she shared.

Luciano quickly adapted to his new foster home. He settled onto the clean floor, watched the world go by from the window, and rolled around on the bed, relishing the softness of the comforter.

Loving his indoor life, Luciano is now living like a VIP. With plenty of space to zoom around, he’s been making the most of his newfound freedom. “He can stretch his legs and explore without limits.”

While they work on addressing his out-of-the-litter-box habits and give him the support he needs, Luciano remains the happiest, most affectionate lap kitty.

He enjoys practicing his wrestling skills with a toy alpaca, loves being around his people, and seeks to be the center of attention wherever he goes.

After wandering the streets for a while, seeking affection from passersby, Luciano’s hope has been restored, thanks to the kindness of the young neighbor, her mother, and the efforts of rescue volunteers.

He has blossomed into a handsome, affectionate love bug, with his charming cross-eyed gaze that melts every heart he encounters.