Bruno the cat, returned to NJ shelter for being 'too affectionate,' has new home

A cat that was returned to a shelter for being "too affectionate" has found a new home ― and has helped other cats at the shelter get adopted too.

Bruno the cat first arrived at the Montville Animal Shelter in November, after the child of his previous owners became allergic to him. Two months later he was adopted by a single mother and young daughter seeking a first pet. But when they brought him home, the shelter's Lindsay Persico said, he was just a little too close for comfort.

Persico explained that the mother worked from home and the cat would constantly head-butt her, making it difficult to get work done. The cat also insisted on sleeping in the young daughter's bed, which resulted in the latter staying up late to play with the former. So a week later, Bruno was brought back to the shelter.

Persico said that when Bruno returned, he was depressed. So Persico took to Facebook and posted Bruno's story. The post blew up, with over 200,000 views and hundreds of comments. And the adoption applications started pouring in.

"We probably got about 50 [applications]," Persico said, which is rare for the shelter.

In fact, an update to the Facebook post said the shelter had to pause applications. People from all over the country called the shelter to inquire. But Bruno was adopted and is now in a new home. But the overwhelming response has helped the shelter's other cats, too.

"People were coming to our door to meet Bruno and we got almost all the cats in the store adopted in the meantime," she said. "We only have two black cats left in our adoption room. So that was a good response as well."