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A senior cat has melted hearts in a video showing the pet finally feeling "safe and loved" after suffering abuse and spending years in a shelter.
The animal's newfound happiness, and heartbreaking past, was shared by her new owner on TikTok, where the clip amassed half a million views.
Telling the backstory of Mk, affectionally known as "My Kitty", under the handle @seniorcatmk10, the cat's adopter posted the video alongside a caption warning: "Mk's life story isn't for the faint hearted," before adding: "I'm so proud of her though, she never let those awful people win her spirit."
@seniorcatmk10 Mks life story isnt for the faint hearted. Im so peoud of her though, she never let those awful people win her spirit. ❤️? . . . #seniorcat #cats #catlovers
♬ snowfall - Øneheart & reidenshi
Mk's experiences of cruelty included being shot at with a pellet gun. She later went on to spend two years languishing in a shelter. Her second chance at happiness finally came when her adopter crossed paths with her.
Despite her past ordeals Mk has bonded with her new owner, and in the heartwarming video viewers see the cat basking in her warmth. Reflecting on their bond, the adopter expressed her love for her pet alongside another video and said: "I may be the one that saved her from the shelter. But she healed me far more than I saved her."
An estimated 10 million animals fall victim to abuse, neglect, or cruelty each year in the United States alone.
According to statistics from veterinarians.org, there were 16,573 reported cases of animal cruelty in the United States in 2021. Texas, in particular, recorded the highest number of offenses, with 2,952 cases reported.
Mk's story garnered widespread attention on TikTok, with commenters upset by the past abuse. "Whoever did that should be locked up for life and have that done to them every day. People are so cruel," one said on the viral post.
Others shared their sadness at Mk's past but also joy that she had finally been given a safe forever home by her new owner.

"Sweet lady! She deserves the world. So glad you found each other," said one comment, while another viewer wrote: "Such a good person. Such a beautiful, cat who understands."
"To be loved by a cat is the best thing ever," one TikToker said. And another wrote: "She deserves a life full of love and food."
Newsweek reached out to @seniorcatmk10 via TikTok for comment.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
About the writer
Alice Gibbs is a Newsweek Senior Internet Trends & Culture Reporter based in the U.K. For the last two years ... Read more