Cat Returned to Shelter After 6 Months Over 'Superficial' Reason

Five-year-old Finnegan thought he had finally found a forever home after spending over a year in Chesapeake Feline Association, but, six months later, he was sadly returned to the North East, Maryland, non-profit for scratching the adopter's carpet.

Jaclene Hjelle, one of the charity's treasurers, told Newsweek: "Cats have a natural instinct to scratch. They need to do it, as it helps maintain their nails."

The confused cat's reaction has been filmed and shared on TikTok and broken thousands of hearts. The clip, shared on November 5 by @chesapeakefeline, shows Finnegan sitting behind metal bars in his enclosure.

The on-screen text reads, "Wait, why am I back here? I thought I was adopted? - Finnegan," followed by another clip of him being soaking up some love from a volunteer.

The text says why he was returned and "we offered tips and even offered to trim his nails monthly for free, but they just wanted him gone." It adds: "So now the sweetest boy on the planet is back, waiting for his forever family to come and scoop him up." Hjelle told Newsweek: "He'd be great in any home!"

Hjelle said: "It's always heartbreaking when a cat is returned, but even more so when it's for something as superficial as this. Our shelter manager, Patty, offered to trim his nails monthly for free and they still decided to return him. We love every cat in the shelter like our own, and I would give my right arm to save any of them, so to have one returned because they scratched the carpet just makes you a little sick.

"A common misconception is that cats are a great pet to have if you're never home, which is not true. Cats are social creatures and require enrichment," Hjelle added. "If they do not get the proper socialization, they will get bored, which can lead to behaviors such as scratching at carpet, furniture, etc."

The Humane Society of the United States has said that scratching is totally normal for cats, in fact, it is part of their instinctive behavior. However, owners must teach their feline what they can and can't scratch to ensure their furniture isn't ruined.

The animal protection and welfare organization has provided the following tips for owners who are trying to deter their pet from scratching stuff.

• Purchase a tall scratching post that is at least 32 inches tall.
• Make sure it is sturdy and doesn't wobble.
• Place the vertical post where the cat wants to scratch.
• Introduce your cat to the post by playing near it.
• Make the other objects less desirable by placing a fitted sheet over furniture or adding double-sided tape.

Hjelle said: "Nail trims, scratching posts and proper enrichment are so important!"

So far over 400 people have commented on the heartbreaking video, and many are rooting for the feline.

One user wrote: "My daughters cat has scratched up my $3000 leather lounge - I got over it. Fin is better off out of there."

"I buy thrift store carpet or towels for my cats to claw at and scoot on. It's easier to change behavior a little than stop it," posted another owner.

A third commented: "That's so infuriating. Because he scratched a carpet. I really hope he finds a good home. The sweetest souls are always the ones who are returned."

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