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Looking to adopt a pet? Chattanooga-area animal shelters share stories of their long-term residents

Contributed photo by Pet Placement Center / Pumpernickel is a sweet but shy orange tabby cat who was adopted from the Pet Placement Center as a kitten and returned six years later when her adopter became homeless. She has been waiting for a new home since July.
Contributed photo by Pet Placement Center / Pumpernickel is a sweet but shy orange tabby cat who was adopted from the Pet Placement Center as a kitten and returned six years later when her adopter became homeless. She has been waiting for a new home since July. Contributed photo by Pet Placement Center / Pumpernickel is a sweet but shy orange tabby cat who was adopted from the Pet Placement Center as a kitten and returned six years later when her adopter became homeless. She has been waiting for a new home since July.

By Emily Crisman 9 min read

Spending time at home with family is a hallmark of the holiday season, and time spent alone often feels more lonely when holiday merriment abounds. Chattanooga-area animal shelters have animals awaiting adoption who have been in their care for several months, and in some cases more than a year.

Shelter staff and volunteers shared the stories of their long-term residents with the Times Free Press in the hopes those overlooked animals will find homes for the holidays.

McKamey Animal Center

Of all the shelters contacted, McKamey is home to the animal tht has lived in a local shelter the longest. Virgil, a 3-year-old mixed-breed dog, has been at McKamey since August 2021.