Greenville, South Carolina, September 19, 2025
News Summary
Paul, a kitten with a unique unimpressed expression, became an internet sensation after a humorous viral post by the Greenville Humane Society. Rescued as a stray, Paul’s charming personality quickly won over social media users, leading to his adoption just one day after the viral fame. The Greenville Humane Society celebrates Paul as a symbol of their efforts in finding homes for animals and engaging the community in their initiatives for animal welfare.
Greenville, South Carolina – A kitten named Paul, known for his unimpressed facial expression, won the hearts of many on social media after a humorous post by the Greenville Humane Society went viral on September 17. The shelter’s light-hearted description emphasized that although Paul appears grumpy, he is, in fact, an affectionate kitten with a playful personality.
Paul was rescued as a stray in early September and brought to the shelter, where his unique appearance quickly made him a star. His droopy eyes and distinct look stem from a birth defect affecting his pupils. The humane society noted that Paul looked like “he’s spent 30 years working a 9 to 5,” a sentiment that resonated with countless animal lovers online.
Remarkably, just one day after gaining viral fame, Paul found a loving forever home. Adoption counselors at the shelter expressed their joy and pride, reflecting on their fondness for his unique face and charming personality. Marketing assistant Katie Wofford commented on how both the shelter staff and Paul’s new adopters were truly captivated by him.
Supporting Initiatives by the Greenville Humane Society
In addition to finding homes for animals like Paul, the Greenville Humane Society is dedicated to helping other animals in need. They operate a fostering program that allows individuals to care for sick or small animals until they can be adopted. This program not only aids in alleviating overcrowding but also provides more individual attention for the animals.
The humane society has been actively encouraging community involvement, promoting foster programs, and deploying population-control methods such as Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for stray cats. Following a high intake of animals that resulted in overcrowding, the organization appealed to the community for assistance. Shortly thereafter, they reported that 64 pets had found new homes.
Impact of Viral Content on Adoptions
The success of the Greenville Humane Society can, in part, be attributed to their engaging content on social media, which resonates well with the public. Their approach has significantly improved adoption rates for featured animals, with Paul being the latest success story. The positive response to the shelter’s posts reflects a growing trend of animal organizations using social media to foster community support and boost adoption efforts.
Conclusion
Paul’s story highlights the importance of adopting pets and showcases the effective methods that animal shelters can use to connect with potential adopters. As community involvement continues to grow, the Greenville Humane Society remains committed to ensuring that more animals find their forever homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of the viral kitten?
The name of the viral kitten is Paul.
When did Paul’s story go viral?
Paul’s story went viral on September 17.
What made Paul popular on social media?
Paul gained popularity due to his unimpressed facial expression and a humorous post from the Greenville Humane Society.
What is Paul’s personality like?
Despite his grumpy appearance, Paul is affectionate, playful, and curious around other cats.
How quickly was Paul adopted?
Paul was adopted into a loving home the day following the shelter’s viral post.
What are some initiatives of the Greenville Humane Society?
The Greenville Humane Society runs a fostering program, encourages community involvement, and implements population-control methods like Trap-Neuter-Return for stray cats.
Key Features of Paul’s Story
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Paul |
| Viral Post Date | September 17 |
| Personality Traits | Adeptly affectionate, playful, and curious |
| Adoption Timeframe | 1 day after viral post |
| Humane Society Initiatives | Foster programs, community involvement, Trap-Neuter-Return |
| Other Adopted Pets | 64 pets found homes after community appeal |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Greenville Online: Greenville Humane Society
- WITN: Feline Freedom Society Adoption Event
- Greenville Journal: Help a Stray
- Newsweek: Shelter Lies to Get Pets Adopted
- Fox Carolina: Animal Rescue Accusations
- Wikipedia: Animal Shelter
- Google Search: Animal Adoption
- Google Scholar: Animal Welfare
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Animal Shelter
- Google News: Animal Rescues

Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.


