December 26th, 2025
Goldie’s Long Road Home
No matter which holiday(s) you observe this month, here’s something worth celebrating: Goldie, our long-term resident, has gone home!
Originally adopted from SAFe in 2023, nine-year-old Goldie was deeply loved by his family. When mounting medical costs made it impossible for them to continue his care, they made the difficult decision to return him to SAFe in May 2025.
A Purr With a Catch
Goldie immediately stole hearts as a Rescue office cat. Chunky and charming, he was quick to purr whenever someone approached. But listen closely, and something sounded wrong.
Instead of the usual motor-like hum, Goldie’s purr was often interrupted by raspy wheezing and audible shortness of breath. SAFe’s veterinary team identified the condition as laryngeal dysfunction, though the exact cause remained unclear.
A Safe Place to Heal
What we could confirm was this: at 22 pounds, Goldie’s excess weight was likely putting strain on his airway. The best place for him to safely lose weight and heal was a foster home. So on July 26th, Goldie said his goodbyes and moved into foster care.
With his foster, Suzi, he had a whole catio to explore – so much so that she had to install a taller baby gate to keep him from climbing out.
“He’s a strong boy,” Suzi shared during a Q&A session back in September. “But this one’s a walk in the park, he mostly just wants attention”
Since joining SAFe’s foster team in 2018, Suzi has cared for dozens of Rescue kitties, many with medical challenges. Still, Goldie’s easygoing nature and fondness for napping belly-up made him stand out.
“He’s always happy,” said Suzi, adding, “He has me very well-trained!”
On December 14th, seven months after coming to SAFe for a second chance, Goldie was officially adopted by Suzi!
From foster care to a home of his own, Goldie’s journey was shaped by people who showed up when he needed them most.
Thriving, Thanks to You
Today, Goldie is thriving. At 18 pounds, he’s still a big boy, but with Suzi monitoring his diet and activity, his health continues to improve. While his wheezing still flares from time to time, Suzi knows the signs and how to sit with him through it.
Your support this year helped guide Goldie from crisis to comfort. Too often, senior cats – especially those with medical needs – are left behind. Goldie was fortunate to have SAFe’s community backing him when he needed it most.
Thank you for standing by Goldie and other Rescue kitties in 2025. We hope you’ll join us over the next week as we share more stories from this year.
