Woman went to shelter with her boyfriend to adopt their foster kitten — until one question on its collar changed her life forever
An adorable kitten was up for adoption at the SPCA of Erie County, but he soon became the core of a heartwarming moment that unfolded at the adoption center. Gandalf, a beautiful grey kitten, was being fostered by a family when his presence sparked a romance between pet owners Jerad Forsyth and Kate Woodley. They spent a lot of time together until Forsyth decided it was time to up his game. The couple wanted to adopt Gandalf, so Woodley headed to the center with her boyfriend to become the official parents of the foster kitten. But before that, the kitten was set up for an important task.
The couple went through the formalities for adoption before the shelter staff handed little Gandalf over to Woodley. One of the volunteers encouraged her to take a glance at the cat’s collar, which was especially purchased for her. “Will you marry me?” was printed on the tag. The sweet proposal was caught on camera as Woodley thought she was being filmed for an adoption video. Shared on the center’s Facebook page, the video showed Woodley excited to take her new kitten home until a volunteer urged her to check out the special tag on his collar. Suddenly, Forsyth emerged wearing a tuxedo and bent down on one knee to pop the question. He held the ring out, and a prompt ‘Yes’ followed—all under Gandalf’s witness.
The shelter staff cheered and clapped for the couple as they shared a crucial point in their relationship. In an interview with The Dodo, the boyfriend recounted how the little kitten had played a significant role in their romance. His mother had been fostering Gandalf since he was a baby, and the couple met up to play with him. Their wholesome time spent together was key to moving their relationship forward. "We got to know him and fell in love with the little guy," Woodley told the outlet. She noted that Gandalf is happy in his new home and likes to play with his dog sibling, Shamus. However, the small kitten’s big impact on his parents’ marriage will forever be cherished by them.
The internet was moved to tears as people reacted to the adorable proposal with sweet comments. “What a beautiful way to show your love and start a new love with your loved one and a new furry friend. Such a special way to pop the question,” wrote Ashlee Favree. Michael Harmon penned, “Congratulations to both of you. I wish you both many years of happiness together.”
Just like that, Forsyth hit two birds with one stone. He was able to impress his partner enough to accept his marriage proposal and also add an adorable new family member. A win-win. However, rescue shelter proposals are not that uncommon.