This National Cat Day, we’re celebrating by sharing the inspiring story of Wake County External Communications Manager Alice Avery and her cat, Cheese.
You might think you’ll adopt “someday,” maybe even have the perfect name picked out, but “someday” can quickly turn into “right now” when you have a toddler who loves cats and already knows the name for your future pet. That’s exactly what happened to our own Wake County External Communications Manager, Alice Avery.
Alice had always known she’d adopt again one day. Her cat, Luna, whom she adopted from a shelter in Lincolnton, North Carolina, died in 2018. “She was my best friend and had been with me through a lot,” Alice said. “I knew eventually I would get another cat, but I was waiting for the right time and also to regain some form of sanity after having a baby.”
That “right time” came in 2020, during the great potty-training adventure with her 3-year-old son, Sam. “I was desperately trying to potty train him and bribed him with a cat,” Alice laughed. “Spoiler alert: it didn’t work.”
Years earlier, Alice and her husband, both fans of The Wire, had already decided that their future cat would be named Cheese, after one of the show’s characters. So, when the family visited the Wake County Animal Center and spotted an orange tabby, Sam didn’t hesitate. “That’s her, that’s my Cheese!” he declared. And just like that, Cheese found her home.
From that moment on, for the past five years, Cheese has been Sam’s best friend and buddy. They’ve grown up together, side by side.
“Cheese has a huge personality and fits into our family perfectly,” said Alice. “She hangs out with me all day while I work from home and makes frequent appearances in my Teams meetings. Chances are, if you’ve been in a video call with me, you’ve seen Cheese’s tail cruise by. She’s very patient with my son and his friends. It’s not easy being chased around by 9-year-old boys.”
Like many adopted pets, Cheese took just a little time to adjust to her new home. “She hid under the bed for a day but made herself at home after that,” Alice said.
When it comes to caring for a cat, Alice says it’s easy, as long as you’re ready for a few little habits. “The litter box is a pain, but that’s about it,” she said. “Cats love to sleep and are generally pretty chill. The only challenge? Cats seem to love positioning themselves right under your feet as you’re walking down the hall or down the stairs. I’m sure it’s completely unintentional,” she added with a smile.
Adopt and change a life
Just like Cheese found her forever home, there are hundreds of cats, dogs and kittens at the Wake County Animal Center waiting for a loving family. Each adoption is a chance to bring friendship, laughter and unconditional love into your home.
By adopting from the Wake County Animal Center, you’re not only giving a pet a second chance, you’re also gaining a lifelong friend and creating your own heartwarming story.
