When we think about ICE deporting people, we typically start to think about their families. So many children have been separated from their parents during these difficult and overwhelming months. But did you know that they’re not the only thing being separated from their home? In some cases, pets are left behind when owners are taken and deported by immigration officials. A Montana couple picked up the pieces of a kitty’s broken heart when his owner was deported.
Emma (@saltandpepper_tails) shared a TikTok video explaining how they recently adopted a young cat named George. According to Emma, this was a heartbreaking case. She states in her video, “George ended up at the shelter after his owners were deported by ICE.” In a recent video, she shows what he does every time she tries to stand up without him, and it’s the saddest but also sweetest thing. He puts himself right back in her lap and asks for scratches to the top of his head. It’s clear that he isn’t leaving her side.
George was adopted by the couple in November 2025 and has been by their sides ever since. Emma explains in a video on their TikTok that they saw a Petco adoption event, which is when they adopted George. The lady at the shelter told them that his owner was deported and George came from a loving home that protected him and took amazing care of him. After ICE took the owners, they left George alone in the home. Luckily, the shelter took him in. Even better, he found the most caring home with Emma and her husband. If his original owners knew this, I have a feeling that they would feel relieved knowing that George found a safe place to stay. The fact that more than just humans are affected by the terror of ICE speaks so loudly.
One commenter stated, “He refused to leave her side cause he didn’t wanna lose his family again.” Another person commented, “I hope somehow his former family can see this and know he is okay, and being loved and cared for.”
