Every day for nearly a year, a stray tabby called Carlton came to the same window. A young adolescent who lived in the residence noticed him and offered everything she could spare to the hungry cat during his visits.

It was evident as Carlton began entering the home that he was eager for a simpler existence.

Then, in May, the teenager heard Carlton crying outside and noticed a laceration behind his ear. She knew she couldn’t leave such a friendly cat on the street — especially when he was coming to the window begging for help.

So she and her sister reached out to Little Wanderers NYC for help.

“It’s been the worst rescue season on record,” Lisa Scroggins, cofounder of Little Wanderers, told The Dodo. “We used to say it every year, but this time it’s truly true.” “We’ve never had so many kitten, mum, and ill and wounded animal rescue requests.”

The family left Carlton with Scroggins, who took him to the veterinarian. The physician treated Carlton’s ear and determined that he had FIV, a virus that is common in stray cats, particularly males that may get into territorial and food battles.

Then, in May, the teenager heard Carlton crying outside and noticed a laceration behind his ear. She knew she couldn’t leave such a friendly cat on the street — especially when he was coming to the window begging for help.

So she and her sister reached out to Little Wanderers NYC for help.

“It’s been the worst rescue season on record,” Lisa Scroggins, cofounder of Little Wanderers, told The Dodo. “We used to say it every year, but this time it’s truly true.” “We’ve never had so many kitten, mum, and ill and wounded animal rescue requests.”

The family left Carlton with Scroggins, who took him to the veterinarian. The physician treated Carlton’s ear and determined that he had FIV, a virus that is common in stray cats, particularly males that may get into territorial and food battles.

While Carlton’s diagnosis will have no effect on his health if he receives the proper medication, Scroggins understood it would make it more difficult to find him a home owing to the widespread belief that FIV-positive and FIV-negative cats cannot coexist.

Carlton, on the other hand, deserves a second chance at life as a family pet. The gentle, lovely boy craves nothing more than to be cuddled and loved.

Carianne Loughlin told The Dodo, “With every single person he’s met so far, he’ll just flop on your lap or headbutt you until you give him pets.” “He is completely devoted to mankind. It’s very cute.”

Carlton would be best suited to a home where he would receive plenty of care and would either be a single cat or share a household with a female cat. Carlton, on the other hand, isn’t fussy when it comes to people.

“He warms up quickly, loves everyone, and is really cuddly,” Loughlin added. “He’s also a big kid. He resembles a large, cuddly mountain lion.”

While Carlton’s future is still uncertain, one thing is sure — whoever adopts him will be very, very lucky.