A 26-year-old cat has a new home where he can live out the rest of his nine lives. Using the formula of the first two years of a cat's life are roughly equal to the first 25 of a human -- and that each additional year is around four 'cat years' -- that makes him about 125.
The original owner could no longer take care of Thomas, who had several health issues when he was turned in to the Baltimore County Animal Shelter in Baldwin, Maryland, Fox News reported.
Most cat breeds are expected to live to around 12 years old, but some make it to 18 or 20, according to Better Homes & Gardens magazine, but even with those odds, Laura Cassiday said she had to have Thomas.
"Pretty much when I saw '26' I knew there was no way I was leaving him there," Cassiday told Fox News.
As part of Animal Allies Rescue Foundation, and a volunteer with The Feline Rescue Association and the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Cassiday said Thomas would find plenty of company in her home, which now has seven cats.
She said Thomas "deserves some stability at this point" and will be a part of her family "for the rest of his days."
The county animal shelter told Fox News that Thomas has "severe dental disease, arthritis, hyperthyroidism, and an abnormal liver," and that a veterinarian found a mass that could possibly be a tumor.
"We honestly have no idea how much longer he even has," Cassiday told Fox News. "Otherwise (Thomas is) in fairly decent shape for an old man."
Cassiday started a Facebook page for Thomas, which already has more than 1,000 followers. She used a post to thank those who have made donations to the elderly cat.
"Thomas and I have been completely overwhelmed with everyone's generosity," Cassiday said on Monday. "Thomas will give any extra donations to his fellow rescued kitties and doggies to help them get the medical care they need as well. We can't do it without you guys."
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