Meet Mittens Michael: A Whole Lot of Cat, A Whole Lot of Love
Mittens Michael hanging out with an employee's young daughter.
Big personality. Bigger heart. Adoption fee? Already taken care of.
Some cats are perfectly content to sit quietly in the background. Mittens Michael has never been particularly interested in blending in.
At 11 years old and weighing in at a very respectable 18 pounds, this oversized orange gentleman has a personality that might just rival his size. He's affectionate, outgoing, and more than happy to make himself the center of attention. And with a name like Mittens Michael, how could he not be a little memorable?
Whether he's enjoying a good brushing, soaking up affection, or keeping an eye on the daily happenings at The Erie Humane Society, Mittens Michael has a way of making himself right at home. In fact, he's become something of a familiar face in our shelter lobby, where he resides in a spacious kennel with a front-row seat to all the action.
For a social butterfly like Mittens Michael, it's a pretty entertaining place to be. He's even spent time behind our front adoption desk, a privilege not many of our feline residents get to experience. We like to think he was helping our staff find homes for his fellow shelter pets, although we suspect he was really there for the extra attention. But while Mittens Michael has certainly made himself comfortable here, we're hoping there's an even better place waiting for him.
A home of his very own.
Mittens Michael soaking up all of the attention!
More to Love, Literally!
Mittens Michael is a big boy with an even bigger heart, and he isn't shy about showing it.
He loves being brushed, happily accepts affection, and, believe it or not, is even agreeable to baths. That's right, this distinguished gentleman doesn't mind the occasional spa day. A little pampering and some quality time with his favorite people are right up his alley.
One of our staff member's daughters has formed a particularly sweet bond with him, and Mittens Michael has happily soaked up every bit of attention she's given him. Watching those interactions has been a wonderful reminder of just how much love this boy has to offer.
And his affection isn't reserved for humans alone!
Mittens Michael is an incredibly social cat who could thrive in a household with dogs, cats, children, or other animals, given appropriate introductions. Whether he's joining an already busy household or becoming someone's one-and-only companion, we think he'd be perfectly happy as long as there's plenty of love to go around.
He's the kind of cat who makes it easy to picture him as part of the family. Lounging on the couch, keeping someone company while they work, or simply being nearby to supervise whatever the day brings.
And with Mittens Michael around, we're fairly certain there would never be a shortage of personality.
A Little Extra Care, A Whole Lot of Love
There is one important part of Mittens Michael's story that we want potential adopters to know.
Mittens Michael has diabetes, a condition that requires ongoing management and veterinary care. We understand that a diagnosis like this might make some people hesitate, especially those who have never cared for a diabetic pet before.
But we also hope it won't keep someone from getting to know him.
Under the care of our veterinary team, Mittens Michael has been receiving treatment for his diabetes, and his recent veterinary evaluations have shown encouraging progress. He is also on a sensitive-stomach diet to help support his digestive health.
Like any pet with an ongoing medical condition, Mittens Michael will need a family willing to maintain his care, keep up with veterinary visits, and plan for the additional expenses that come with his needs.
The good news? You don't have to be experienced in caring for a diabetic cat to consider adopting him. What matters most is finding someone willing to learn and give him the consistency and care he deserves.
Our pet care team knows Mittens Michael well and would be happy to talk with interested adopters about his routine, medical needs, and what life with this lovable gentleman might look like.
And while his diabetes is something his future family will need to manage, it doesn't change the things that make him so special.
He's still the big orange cat who loves being brushed, welcomes just about anyone into his world, and has somehow convinced our staff that he belongs behind the adoption desk.
His diagnosis is simply one part of his story.
The Adoption Fee? Consider It Covered!
Here's some good news for anyone who's already fallen for this handsome gentleman.
Mittens Michael's adoption fee has been generously sponsored!
That means his future family won't have to pay an adoption fee to welcome him home.
While his ongoing medical care will still be an important consideration, having his adoption fee covered is one less thing to worry about when beginning this new chapter together.
We think there's something especially meaningful about that. Someone has already chosen to invest in Mittens Michael's future, hoping to help him find the home he deserves.
Now, we're hoping someone else will give him the chance to make that future a reality.
There's No Place Quite Like Home
Mittens Michael has made quite an impression during his time at Erie Humane Society. Between the friendships he's formed, the attention he happily welcomes, and his front-row seat to the hustle and bustle of shelter life, he's become a familiar and much-loved face around here.
But as much as we've enjoyed getting to know him, we'd love nothing more than to see his next chapter begin.
There's something special about imagining Mittens Michael settling into a home of his own, becoming part of someone's everyday routine, and bringing his larger-than-life personality into a family that will love him for years to come.
We know his diabetes may give some potential adopters pause, but we hope it won't stop them from considering everything this wonderful boy has to offer. Sometimes the animals who need a little extra care are the very ones who leave the biggest impressions on our hearts.
Mittens Michael has already won over so many people at Erie Humane Society. Now we're hoping someone out there will give him the chance to do the same in a home of his own.
His adoption fee is covered. His heart is wide open. And somewhere out there is a family with room for a whole lot of Mittens Michael.
If you think Mittens Michael might be the companion you've been looking for, we encourage you to visit Erie Humane Society, meet him in person, and speak with our pet care team about his needs.
And if adoption isn't possible right now, sharing his story can make a difference. Sometimes all it takes is one person seeing the right post at the right time to change an animal's life.
We know how easy Mittens Michael is to love. Now we just need someone willing to take that love home.
