'It cost me thousands and months of patience, but I’d do it again': Dedicated rescuer slowly tames abandoned orange cat and gives him a second chance at life

Author image for kalila courban
kalila courban
Apr 16, 2025 6:00 PM EDT

Hey friends, get ready for a story that proves love, patience, and a whole lot of persistence can truly change a life, especially when it comes to earning the trust of a scared and sick stray. The original poster had always dreamed of having an orange cat. So when a scruffy, underweight, and clearly abandoned orange boy began showing up near their home, they knew they had to try. His coat was in rough shape, he wasn't neutered or chipped, and he ran at the sight of people. But that didn't stop them.

They began by leaving food out every day. At first, he bolted the moment they appeared at the door. But over the course of five long months, they slowly built trust, sitting by the open door, gently talking to him, inching the food closer, until eventually, he allowed gentle pets and even took a few steps inside. The process took time, treats, and incredible patience. When the cat fell ill, it was finally time to bring him in for good. After a chaotic week of vet visits, medication, accidents, and litter box training, something changed. He realized he was safe. And just like that, he stopped wanting to go back outside.

With nearly $2,000 spent on vet bills, including treatment for worms, bronchitis, a gastrointestinal infection, and more, this journey wasn't easy. But it was worth every penny and every moment. That once-fearful stray is now a beloved house cat, safe, healthy, and finally home.

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    "It took me five months to tame him, but I always wanted an orange cat"

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    "Also cost me near 2000 usd in vet bills because of worms, bronchitis, neutering, chipping, ticks and gastrointestinal infection, but it was worth it."

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  • MORE INFO FROM OP: 

    "We left food out for him every day when we realized he was coming by regularly and had likely been abandoned. He was underweight, his coat was in poor condition, and he wasn’t ear-marked or neutered.

    When he came by, I made sure to approach the door so he would see me. At first, he ran away, but slowly he got used to seeing me standing there and stayed to eat. I then started touching the door—cue more running away for a few weeks—but eventually, he accepted that too. It was a slow process of keeping food available and gradually opening the door more and more. I sat by the door, slightly ajar, and talked to him to get him used to my presence."

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    "I didn't think oranges would be that distinct from other cats, but oh boy is he orange."

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  • CONTINUED:

    "Once he was comfortable with that, I made sure he saw me placing the food down. He eventually allowed me to come close enough to touch and pet him.

    Then I started putting the food just inside the doorway so he would get used to coming indoors. I slowly began closing the door behind him a little at a time. After a while, he was able to stay inside with the door closed for longer and longer periods.

    Eventually, I noticed he was sick—not eating much and becoming more skittish. I brought him inside and took him to the vet, which was a challenge in itself. He needed antibiotics, so I had to keep him inside. It took about a week and a lot of diarrhea and pee everywhere before he learned to use the litter box. He hasn’t wanted to go outside ever since."

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    LD AF LIV et af 80% genbrugsflasker
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    "He's such a soft boi! After all the initial scratching and growling, he now always hops into the sofa to sleep besides me when I watch TV and purrs like a diesel engine."

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    7:28 3525
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    Warcraft Fan ⚫ Slow and steady wins the race. 14 years ago a kitten slipped into my basement. I spent 3 months sitting around her before I could even touch her and a few more weeks before she'd get out of the basement on her own. She regularly sleeps with me and follows me everywhere.
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    Aztec111 He is precious and looks so happy! You are a great human for taking care of him. and loving him
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    french_toasty What a beautiful happy kitty! Congratulations
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    urkillinmeSmall You can tell how happy, and CHONKY, he got after coming inside →
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    Absolut Iceland MY EMPTY BANK ACCOUNT ME IMPULSE PURCHASES imgflip.com Number 7 is a perfect meme template.
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    Scienscatologist I like his expression in the pic where he's buried in blankets and pillows. "I guess this is okay. I'll probably stick around. Where's the rest of that bird, tho?"
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    VelvetIntrovert He's lucky to have you, and I'm sure he's so grateful for all the care you've given him. Orange cats really do have a special kind of magic, don't they?
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    MagnusRottcodd You don't really tame a cat - it is rather "After much hard work I was chosen"
    via MagnusRottcodd

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