WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Richard Crews couldn't wait to get to the SPCA Serving Erie County on Friday after Catholic Health surprised the 74-year-old with the news that he'd be fostering a cat.
Crews was emotional when he got that news, because the last cat he had for 12 years passed away.
"He became my best friend in New York City," said Crews.
Crews moved to Western New York recently for treatment at Roswell Park. He's battling cancer and chronic kidney disease and has been struggling with loneliness.
"I know absolutely no one," said Crews. "I don't know my way around."
"He was at his wits' end, and he was alone," explained Ann Marie Moriarty, a Licensed Master Social Worker at Catholic Health.
WATCH: 'It means everything': New partnership between Catholic Health and SPCA supporting senior patients
That was until Crews found Catholic Health's new program, a comprehensive care initiative for adults aged 55 and older who want to continue living independently at home.
"The mission is to keep people safe in their homes and not in nursing homes," said Moriarty. "He's been lonely for many years."
That's when Catholic Health and the SPCA decided to take this one step further and form a partnership.
"It's a win-win," said Crews."It means everything."
The cat's named "V" in honor of the Catholic Health transportation driver who takes Crews to all his appointments.
"The bond between animals and humans is one of the most special things we have," said Zak Sprowls, Adoption and Foster Manager at the SPCA Serving Erie County.
The adoption was free, and Sprowls and staff gave Crews a bag of food and toys for "V."
