One random afternoon, Sueanny G. walked up to her boyfriend, opened the ASPCA website and said, “Let’s see what cats they have for adoption.”

The pair had been noticing their cat Hermione was showing signs of boredom and loneliness and had briefly chatted about getting a second cat — and there was no time like the present!

“When I opened the website, that’s when we saw our baby,” remembered Sueanny. “He was adorable. He had this look of pure shock in his eyes in the picture they had up of him, and I thought it was hilarious. My boyfriend thought he was the cutest thing ever. Barry also had a similar coat to Hermione, and we thought it was poetic.”

The cat they fell in love with was 4-year-old Arancini. They knew they wanted to meet him, but what they did not yet know was how much this cat had already been through in his four years.

A Life of Neglect

In early 2024, Arancini was one of 13 animals rescued from a home in New York City. They were found living in deplorable conditions, with some of the animals emaciated and matted.

Arancini arrived at the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center (ARC) in New York City with an ear infection in both ears, the tips of both his upper canine teeth fractured and a kink in his tail, though it did not cause him any discomfort.

Our veterinarians treated him for his ear infections with daily topical medication, but unfortunately it took a bit longer for Arancini to receive the dental procedure he needed.

“During the period of time when animals are considered seized, we are unable to move forward with any elective medical procedures like neuter or dental, which he needed both,” explained Dr. Karla Kovach, director of veterinary services at ARC. “Eventually once their legal hold was lifted, Arancini was neutered and had a dental where both of the fractured teeth were extracted. 

The morning of his dental, a new heart murmur was heard, so an echocardiogram was performed. This test showed that he had a physiologic heart murmur, which is a heart murmur that is not associated with any disease.”

Through all of his medical treatment, Arancini was super social, playful and chatty. Shortly after, he was healthy enough to be moved over to the ASPCA Adoption Center where he became available for adoption and listed on our website — where Sueanny and her boyfriend spotted him!

First Impressions

Having made the decision to meet Arancini, the couple rushed over to the Adoption Center, fearful someone would adopt him before they had the chance.

“When we met him, he was what I would describe as a little Sour Patch Kid™ from the commercials,” joked Sueanny. “He was a bit of a jerk and then he’d do the sweetest thing you never would have expected.”

Though completely in love with Arancini, Sueanny had some serious pause after learning about his medical conditions.

“My grandmother had a cat who had some medical issues, and she went through a lot emotionally and financially,” said Sueanny. “But after I did some additional research and looked at him again, I just couldn’t help it. It wouldn’t have felt right to leave without him. We already felt a connection and didn’t want to let him go.”

A New Loving Home

After adopting Arancini, Sueanny changed his name to Barry, to pay homage to one of her favorite TV shows, Barry.

“His nervous and awkward demeanor reminded us of Bill Hader who plays Barry. He’s tall and always makes the same wide-eyed, in-shock face, just like my cat!” Sueanny told us.

When it came time to introduce Hermione and Barry, Sueanny was apprehensive. At just 21-years-old, these were Sueanny’s first animals, so introducing them was a new concept to her.

“It was very stressful because I’m so emotional, but honestly, they were both fine. Literally nobody cared but me that they were in separate rooms for a while,” said Sueanny. “Hermione needed time to get used to having another cat in the house and Barry was just happy to get to be next to another cat without a door or cage separating them.”

Hermione initially hissed and growled when meeting Barry, but eventually the two warmed up and both adore each other now.

 “It was so beautiful seeing my cats slowly get happier and more comfortable with each other as time went on,” said Sueanny. “Barry was very anxious when he first got home, but he’s so much less jumpy and anxious now, and he’s finally able to be in a deep sleep state when he naps. Having Barry in our lives has made everything feel more complete.”

Finding His True Colors

Finally comfortable (and accepted by his sister) in his new home, Barry has begun to let his true colors shine through — which include loads of quirks!

“He is so awkward sometimes!” Sueanny laughed. “When you hold out your hand the way you would normally with a cat to pet them and let them sniff you, he makes a stank face and stares blankly past you and walks away.”

Barry also likes to kick his clean litter out of his litterbox to roll around in it, meows along when Sueanny is singing, doesn’t allow his sister to use the litterbox unless he’s watching and is completely obsessed with Sueanny’s boyfriend.

Sueanny wouldn’t change a thing about him!

“Barry has changed my life in so many ways,” she told us. “I was so afraid of not being able to love another cat the way I loved my first one, but then I got him, and he changed everything. We are all a family, who came from where and in what order doesn’t matter.”

“Barry has also brought me more happiness. Hermione is so independent, but Barry just watches me even when I do unimportant things, so he just makes me laugh when I see him standing there randomly,” she adds. “Barry also made me see firsthand that more animals need homes. Obviously, we all know that, but to bring one home and see for myself that all they need is love and patience is its own separate thing. It really is special.”

It isn’t just special for Sueanny, it’s incredibly heartwarming for all of us at the ASPCA, but especially those like Dr. Kovach who worked with Barry firsthand.

“It really feels wonderful. I cannot stress how much joy it brings to myself and my team seeing the happy updates, especially when adopters provide follow-up photos in their new homes,” Dr. Kovach said. “Knowing what these guys have gone through and seeing them live their best lives really keeps me going.”

June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, and we encourage you to consider giving a cat like Barry the loving home they deserve. You can find adoptable cats through the ASPCA in New York City and Los Angeles, or find your purr-fect match at a shelter near you!