Kind human adopts feline who was a long time shelter resident, feels discouraged by cat's hesitance to trust: 'He's the most easily startled cat I've ever seen'

Author image for kalila courban
kalila courban
Feb 4, 2025 7:00 PM EST

Hey friends, those of us who have adopted cats before know that it takes time for them to trust us and engage. When you bring home a new cat, don't be surprised if they run under a couch or bed and stay hidden for days—only emerging to eat or use the litter box. Adjusting to a new space and new people is a huge shift for cats. And when that cat has experienced trauma from being a long-time resident at a shelter? You can go ahead and multiply that adjustment time by ten.

Today's featured story centers around the original poster (OP), who recently adopted a cat that had lived at their local shelter for over seven years. The poor baby had never found a forever home—until now. A kind human (OP) finally took a chance and brought them home. But instead of warming up right away, the cat ran off and buried itself in a storage closet, avoiding all contact.

For new cat parents, this can feel disheartening, but it's a necessary part of the transition. It takes time for cats to feel safe enough to explore their surroundings and trust new humans. Our advice to OP: Be patient, be kind, and love that kitty hard. We have a feeling everything will work out just fine.

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  • 01
    "I don't know if seven years living in a cage has made him just... not want to interact with humans or if there's something more I can do."
    via irynakhabliuk
  • 02
    My new cat was at the Humane Society for seven years. I'm discouraged
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 03
    I got lots of videos of him playing with volunteers and getting patted and walking on the floor, et cetera. So I brought him home and he ran into a tiny space in my storage closet. I left him there for three weeks hoping he would come out if I talked to him every day,
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 04
    and he did in the middle of the night to use the litterbox and eat, but he's the most. easily startled cat I've ever seen and has no interest in interacting with me at all. Just hiding, anywhere and everywhere he can find. He's been to the vet and is healthy, has all his shots
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 05
    and microchip, etc. Should I be thinking of rehoming him. or returning him to the shelter? I don't know if seven years living in a cage. has made him just... not want to interact with humans or if there's something more I can do.
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 06
    Edit: I'll be patient and thanks for all of the suggestions. Except the couple of nasty ones that I shouldn't be allowed a cat. I'm convinced now that with enough time, patience, and cat crack, he'll come around.
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 07
    I'm more interested in his being comfortable than anything else. Thanks again to almost everyone for their replies.
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 08
    Edit x2: Wow, thanks for all the cat photos and yes, I am reading through all the comments. He's actually been here 4 and a half weeks. He hid under my craft table for 3 days until he found the storage room and now he's back under the craft table again.
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 09
    Anyway he's eating and drinking well at night and uses the litterbox reliably so he's a good kitty. Cheers everyone.
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 10
    ollege of
    via ObsessedWithAnimals
  • 11
    Right_Count Three weeks is barely enough time for a mentally healthy cat to decompress and settle in, so I'm not at all surprised your new kitty is taking longer. He'll come around though, and it'll feel soooo good when he does.
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 12
    When cats like this finally decide they can trust you, it's such a strong and special bond.
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 13
    You might consider moving him to your bedroom though. I've always done that with hidey cats and they come up on the bed at night when you're asleep and non-threatening.
    via hey_thatsmyinbox

  • Excellent advice! If kitty starts to approach human during sleep, this may be a way for the feline cutie to build up trust without OP even having to lift a finger! We bet this kitty will be snuggling with OP in no time at all if they are to take this approach. 

  • 14
    餅
    via ObsessedWithAnimals
  • 15
    Specialist-Front3304. It took my rescue one year to get comfortable with me Now she cuddles every night with me
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 16
    ant_clip She had seven years at a shelter, three weeks isn't going to undo that. I would give this more time. Let her set the pace, don't reach for her, let her come to you when she is ready.
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 17
    Mix-Lopsided It took one of our cats three months to stop hiding most of the time and over a year to stop sprinting away from us if he decided we were scary suddenly. Just give him grace and time.
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 18
    okbringoutdessert SUSHI
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 19
    Got this guy in October and it took 2 days just to coax him out from under my bathroom vanity. Then another two weeks under the bed. I spent so much time sitting and sleeping on the floor my butt hurt. Nearly 5 months in I still can't pick him up, but he rubs against my legs when I am in the kitchen and he has hopped up on the couch a few times to sit with me. It is taking time but it's so worth it.
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 20
    chweppe DEK Фина
    via ObsessedWithAnimals
  • 21
    notdeadyettie It's takes time. He's been in a shelter for 7 YEARS he will have so much trauma! It will take time to gain your trust
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 22
    Cheezburger Image 10463117824
    via ObsessedWithAnimals
  • 23
    Stener 2004 ③Berlitz max.file Belege Online Nigemein Fanic vere@ndo
    via ObsessedWithAnimals
  • 24
    sirius1245720 Adopted a feral cat from the SPA she had never known humans, she was 1 year old. It took me two months to have her approach me... and she loved me forever afterwards.
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 25
    Bladescan Imagine you are a foster kid and you just got your new foster parents would you immediately open up to your new parents? To you they are still strangers this is exactly how this cat feels right now just like kids it takes more than weeks even months cats are very unique in the sense that they have to be the ones to open up to you first trust me you keep doing you and trust me he will open up to you soon
    via hey_thatsmyinbox
  • 26
    Cheezburger Image 10463116544
    via ObsessedWithAnimals

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