1,000 cats. 1,000 second chances. And we’re just getting started.
Cat Depot is celebrating a major milestone — 1,000 cats and kittens adopted in 2026!
Reaching our 1,000th adoption is always a moment worth celebrating, but this year, that moment came much earlier than usual. In recent years, Cat Depot hasn’t reached this milestone until the fall. This year, we reached 1,000 adoptions in mid-August — with months of lifesaving still ahead.
And the lucky cat who officially brought us to 1,000? Pauline!
Meet Lucky #1,000: Pauline
Pauline is an adorable 4-month-old tortie who first came to Cat Depot through our TNVR program. It didn’t take long to realize this little girl had different plans for her future.
Sweet, social, and always ready to make biscuits, Pauline showed us that life as a community cat wasn’t for her. With a personality made for companionship, Pauline was brought into Cat Depot’s adoption program to give her the chance to find the loving indoor home she deserved.
And today, she found it.
Pauline caught the attention of Charlie, a familiar face at Cat Depot. Charlie adopted Binx from Cat Depot in July 2025, and today, Binx is two years old and getting ready to become a big sister.
Sometimes the Cat Chooses You
Charlie had been thinking about adding another cat to his family for a while. He submitted a new Cat Depot adoption application in June, but he wasn’t in a rush. Before bringing home a second cat, he took the time to research cat introductions and make sure he and Binx were ready to welcome another feline family member.
When Charlie came to Cat Depot, he even had another cat in mind.
Then he met Pauline.
Her sweet, social personality — and undeniable tortie charm — quickly caused a change of heart. Pauline had found her person.
Now, Charlie is most excited to watch Pauline and Binx get to know one another and see their relationship grow as Pauline settles into her new home.
Charlie wasn’t always a cat person — then Binx came along. Now, one year and a second Cat Depot adoption later, he’s officially a cat dad of two. As it turns out, sometimes it just takes the right cat to turn you into a cat person.
And Charlie’s support didn’t stop with giving Pauline a home. During her adoption, he also chose to make a donation to Cat Depot, helping provide another cat or kitten with the same opportunity for a second chance.
For a day centered around 1,000 new beginnings, it was a fitting way to help start the next one.
More Than a Number
Pauline may have the honor of being adoption #1,000, but behind that number are 1,000 individual stories.
Kittens who grew up in foster homes before finding families of their own. Adult cats who waited patiently for the right person. Senior cats beginning new chapters. Shy cats who learned to trust. Community cats like Pauline whose journeys took an unexpected turn.
Each arrived at Cat Depot differently, but 1,000 of those stories have ended the same way this year: with a home.
And every adoption creates another opportunity to help. When a cat like Pauline heads home, space opens for Cat Depot to welcome another cat or kitten in need and begin working toward their second chance, too.
1,000 Second Chances — Thanks to You
Reaching 1,000 adoptions this early in the year would not be possible without the community behind every happy ending.
Our adopters open their homes. Our foster families give cats and kittens safe places to grow and heal. Our volunteers give their time and care. Our staff work every day to help cats find the families that are right for them. And our donors, supporters, and community partners make this lifesaving work possible.
Adoption #1,000 belongs to Pauline, but this milestone belongs to everyone who helped make these 1,000 new beginnings possible.
And we’re not stopping here. Pauline is heading home to begin her new life with Charlie and big sister Binx, but there are still cats and kittens at Cat Depot waiting for their own second chance.
Who will be #1,001? Maybe the next happy ending will be yours.
Visit catdepot.org/adopt to meet our available cats and start your adoption journey.
