For those fortunate enough to stumble upon the social media account of the sleek black house panther named Jango, they’re treated to an inspiring story of transformation. Better known as @jango.of.the.orange.eyes on Instagram, this captivating feline started his life as a stray—one so severely afflicted with mange that he was nearly blinded.
Rescue from the Car Wash Colony
Jango’s journey from despair to delight began when he was rescued from a local car wash colony in Tampa. Cat Man Chris [Poole], a dedicated rescuer, discovered Jango among an entire colony of black cats living at the car wash. Although the workers fed them, Chris knew they needed more than just food. The greatest threat to these cats was the busy four-lane road just in front of the location, making it a dangerous place for them to live.
Determined to help, Chris began feeding the cats and slowly gaining their trust. One cat, in particular, caught his attention—Jango. Sitting alone, shunned by the others, Jango’s condition broke Chris’s heart. Covered in mange, Jango was difficult to catch because his vision was severely impaired. He often huddled up at night due to the cold, making traps ineffective. Eventually, Chris had to resort to netting him the next morning.
A New Beginning for Jango
The priority was getting Jango off the streets and starting his medical treatment. With the help of a local fosterer, @aubree.rescues.animals, Jango was treated for his severe mange. Despite the severity of his condition, mange is an easily treated issue with dedicated care. As his treatment progressed, Jango’s eyes began to open—revealing his stunning orange eyes that were now filled with love and trust after the pain and terror were washed away.
Jango’s Transformation
Jango’s journey didn’t end with his rescue. He blossomed into a social, confident, and loving housecat with the help of a special friend. After recovering from mange, Jango went to stay at the foster home of Tabatha and @rescuelogan. Logan, another feline friend, helped Jango come out of his shell, showing him the joys of being a housecat.
But the transformation was only the beginning—Jango still needed to find his forever home. With the support of Logan’s fanbase and a video created by Chris for his YouTube channel, Jango’s story reached a wider audience. On June 25th, 2019, Chris shared the happy news on his Facebook page:
“Happy Tails! ❤ Jango was adopted by the purr-fect couple and he’s settling in very well to his new home…”
Jango’s New Life
Jango’s forever home turned out to be a dream come true. He now enjoys a wonderful life in a home with a huge screened-in patio and even a pool—although the pool might be more exciting for humans than cats! He also gained two new brothers, Snoopy and Sunny, and his fanbase continues to grow through his Facebook and Instagram profiles @jango.of.the.orange.eyes. Witnessing a once-stray, mange-covered cat transform into a squirmy house panther begging for pets is truly a glorious thing. And while Jango enjoys his new life, he still maintains a bit of his wild, instinctual nature.
Jango’s remarkable journey even earned him a spot in the Cat Man Chris 2020 calendar for the month of August!
The Power of Compassion
Jango’s story is a testament to the incredible transformations that can happen when someone decides to help a stray cat in need. When a team of rescuers each plays a small part in giving an animal a second chance at life, the heartwarming transition from stray to cherished companion is nothing short of magical. Jango’s story serves as a reminder to all of us to look beyond appearances and embrace compassion—we could all use a little more of it in the world.
