My name is Veteran!

In November, we found him barely alive—collapsed in a roadside ditch, his frail body too weak to lift his head. He was freezing. Starving. Dehydrated. His breathing labored from a brutal upper respiratory infection. No collar. No microchip. Just a silent, suffering shadow of a cat, fighting to hold on.

At the vet, we learned he was a senior—an old boy who had known comfort once. But somewhere along the way, he got lost. Forgotten. Left to fade alone.

But he didn’t give up. And neither did we.

With weeks of medical care and gentle, patient love, Veteran began to heal. He gained weight. His breathing eased. And through it all, he never lashed out—just watched quietly with eyes that had seen too much. His smoked black coat started to shine again. He started to feel safe.

He’s been with us ever since—never demanding, never loud. He lived in the office for a while, slowly learning to trust. Each morning, he’d step out of his bed to greet us for breakfast. Some days, you’d find him curled in the arms of our bookkeeper, purring softly, eyes half-closed in peace.

But he’s still waiting. And he`s been waiting far too long.

Veteran needs a home. Not a busy one, not a loud one. A quiet, gentle space with someone who understands that healing from the inside out takes time. Someone who won’t expect instant cuddles or constant entertainment—but will instead offer patience, warmth, and respect for a life hard-lived.

He has survived the worst. Now he deserves the best.

If your heart is open to a cat who’s seen darkness and still chooses to love—come meet Veteran.

If you are interested in adopting Veteran or have any questions, please give us a call at 705-878-4618, send an email to info@hskl.ca, or stop by the shelter during our hours.