Hearts have broken for a cat who has “stopped counting the days” in his foster home after nobody has shown interest in adopting him.
For years, Frank was a familiar sight around a Kuala Lumpur condominium. He lived on the street, quiet and cautious. “Frank didn’t grow up knowing what it feels like to belong,” reads a recent post from Allergic Rescuers KL, a small volunteer-run rescue group in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. “For years, he lived on the street, always nearby but never quite close enough to touch.”
Founded in 2018, Allergic Rescuers KL (ARKL) is not a shelter but a network of six friends who dedicate their spare time to rescuing cats in need across Kuala Lumpur.
“We all have full-time jobs and family commitments,” team member Ai Ling told Newsweek. “Our rescued cats live in foster homes while we look for their forever families. Since we started, we’ve rehomed over 700 cats.”
Frank’s Story
Frank joined Ling’s colony in late 2018. Like many strays, he was wary of people. Ling trapped him in early 2019, had him neutered, and released him back—assuming he would live out his days among the colony.
But over four years of daily feeding softened Frank. “He used to get into fights with other cats,” Ling said. “During his third hospitalization to treat wounds, something changed. He started showing affection to the vet team.”
For the first time, Frank let people in. The team realized that this once-feral cat might finally be ready for a home.
Named after Frank Castle, the vigilante known as The Punisher, Frank is described as a big cat with a surprisingly gentle spirit.
“He looks like he could take on any cat in a fight,” Ling said. “But he’s a softie. He loves being carried like a baby.”
Despite a failed adoption when the resident cat bullied him—and Frank didn’t fight back—he remains affectionate and calm. He startles at loud noises but thrives on quiet companionship and gentle affection.
Still Waiting for a Home
After more than four years on the streets, Frank has now spent over 18 months in foster care. He is patiently waiting for the right person to notice him.
Mid-year 2025 data from Shelter Animals Count found that more than 2.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters nationwide in the first half of the year. Of those, nearly 1.4 million were cats, with 59 percent arriving as strays and 31 percent surrendered by their owners.
The median stay for cats in shelters is 43 days, underscoring both the resource strain and the patience required from rescues trying to rehome them.
“Frank would do best in a calm home without young children,” Ling said. “He’d love a chill cat friend or even to be the only cat. What matters most is finding someone who’ll commit to him for life.”
For now, Frank spends his days in a foster home in Kuala Lumpur, cared for but still longing for a family of his own.
