“I instantly knew we had to have her”
LaRae Stevens and her daughter had always dreamed of welcoming a cat into their home. So, when they visited PetSmart last October, they couldn’t resist taking a stroll through the adoptable cats section, even though not everyone in the family was on board with the idea of bringing in a new pet. They had no intention of adopting that day—until fate intervened.
As they walked past the rows of enclosures, a cat named Missy stood on her hind legs, placing her front paws on the glass as if reaching out to them. The mother-daughter duo cooed at her, captivated by her friendly demeanor. But as they started to walk away, Missy became desperate, pawing at the glass frantically, her eyes pleading with them not to leave her behind.
It was a moment of undeniable connection.
“As soon as she started doing this, I instantly knew we had to have her,” Stevens shared in an Instagram Reel.
Determined to bring Missy home, Stevens made an impassioned plea to her husband, the only family member still hesitant about adopting a pet. But after seeing the overwhelming bond Missy had already formed with his daughter, he couldn’t refuse.
Wasting no time, they filled out an adoption application, hoping against hope that Missy was still available. Having spent two weeks at the shelter, she was a popular candidate, and the odds weren’t in their favor. Still, they couldn’t shake the feeling that Missy was meant to be part of their family.
A few hours later, their phone rang. It was the call they had been desperately waiting for—their application had been approved! Overcome with emotion, Stevens and her daughter burst into tears, unable to believe their long-held dream was finally coming true.
That same afternoon, they returned to the shelter and brought Missy home. As expected, she settled in seamlessly, quickly forming deep bonds with every member of the household.
“She never leaves my side,” Stevens wrote on Instagram.
Now, nearly six months later, Missy continues to thrive. Whether she’s curled up on Stevens’ lap, playing with new toys, or happily distracting her little human from homeschooling, she radiates joy in every moment.
“Missy is the best addition to our family,” Stevens wrote. “We could not ask for a better rescue cat. She is [perfect].”