'I want to give her more of a chance': After adoption, a shy shelter sweetheart hides making the family consider returning her, but one purrsistent hooman isn't giving up

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Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
May 17, 2025 4:00 PM EDT

Adopted four weeks ago, this one-year-old purrincess is still stuck in her shell and not in a cute, bread-loaf kinda way. While her 5-month-old sibling immediately turned into a cuddle muffin with the whole fam, this older kitty has taken flight over fight to new levels. She'll approach purring and even curl up in laps, but if a hooman dares to stand? ZOOM. Instant teleport to hidey-hole 9000.

No hisstory of trauma, according to the sanctuary, just a lifetime spent behind kennel bars, literally. She loves her new feline roommates and they return the affection with mutual grooming, zoomies, and snuggles. One of the resident cats even plays purrofessional therapist. But when it comes to hoomans? Nope. Nada. Big nope.

After sharing her story, the cat community came through with tons of support, advice, and whisker wisdom. Encouraged by all the love, the hooman decided not to give up. Instead, she's working on helping this timid tabby feel safe and it's already paying off. The kitty has started cautiously exploring the house more and showing little signs of confidence.

Sometimes all it takes is a little pawsitive reinforcement. One small step for cat, one giant leap for floofkind. 

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  • 01
    'She's still scared out of her mind'
    via By michellegibson / Canva

    Disclaimer: This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    So, about 4 weeks ago, I adopted two cats (5 months and 1 year). The 5 month okd adapted very fast and was cuddling with me and my family, but the other was very scared, which I understood.
    via u/Master_Interview_880
  • 03
    She was perfectly fine when she walked up to us, purring and crawling in laps, but if anyone even stood up, she'd run like her life depended on it. From what the cat sanctuary I adopted her from has told me, she has lived in the sanctuary since she was born and had no past experience with ab le of any kind so I'm fairly
    via u/Master_Interview_880
  • 04
    certain it's not something like that. As I mentioned, it's been 4 weeks and she's still scared out of her mind. I have two other cats besides the two I recently adopted, and she loves them and my cats love her. They play, clean each other, and cuddle (my other cats are very friendly with other animals, especially one of them as he absolutely adores taking care of others) but she's absolutely terrified of people.
    via u/Master_Interview_880
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10506375936
    via By Gratisography from Pexels / Canva

    Disclaimer: This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 06
    My family has been talking about surrendering her to the sanctuary again because she may not be a good fit. Still, I want to give her more of a chance as she's been stuck in a kennel her whole life (she was not allowed outside of it) and I'm wondering if maybe that experience made her anxious? I'm a minor and don't really have any say in keeping her with how my parents are.
    via u/Master_Interview_880
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10506376192
    via By zlikovec / Canva

    Disclaimer: This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    She's been walking around my house more lately so I think she's getting more comfortable, but I was wondering if anyone maybe knew why she got so scared? I want to try and eliminate or at least ease her in slowly to whatever might be scaring her so she can feel safe around us. I
    via u/Master_Interview_880
  • 09
    don't know a lot about cat behavior, and while I've been researching a lot, I also wanted some outside opinions from people who might know more than me.
    via u/Master_Interview_880
  • 10
    I hope what I wrote makes sense as it's very late for me and I'm kind of tired, so if I need to clarify anything or make this more understandable, please let me know. Anyways, should I rethink having her in my home?
    via u/
  • 11
    blueyedwineaux 4 weeks is too short of time for some cats to adjust. She just left the home she has known her whole life. She doesn't speak the language (human). How would you feel if you were taken from your home by strangers and plopped into a new home without knowing what was going on? Every cat has a different personality. Each will react differently.
    via u/blueyedwineaux
  • 12
    I have a cat that I've had for 10 years. He still runs and hides if anyone but me is home. Give it time.
    via u/blueyedwineaux
  • 13
    WildLibera She's probably just scared because she's never lived outside a kennel before and isn't used to people moving around. Some cats take a lot longer to adjust, especially if they didn't get much human interaction early on. The fact that she loves your other
    via u/WildLibera
  • 14
    cats and is starting to explore more is a really good sign. If she's making progress, even slowly, I'd say she just needs more time. Try to keep things calm around her and let her come to you. If your parents can be patient a little longer, she might surprise you.
    via u/WildLibera
  • 15
    sophatelli I have two female cats, and both are incredibly skittish. They are the sweetest and loudest cats I've ever owned. They also dart across the room if I sneeze and then look back at me as if I've threatened their family lines. It's just a personality thing, I think.
    via u/sophatelli

  • She just needs a little more meow time to feel safe! Some kitties take the slow-purr approach to trust, but with enough chin scritches and quiet cuddles, she'll come around.

  • 16
    Ang Woo21 If she gets along and likes. the other cats even if she never totally opens up to people she should get to stay there
    via u/AngWoo21

  • Team keep the cat all the way! She’s just a shy lil’ fluff nugget figuring things out. With some pawsitive vibes and time, she’ll blossom into a full-time cuddlebug!

  • 17
    mesarasa There are lots of good suggestions here about how to help your scared kitty adjust, and how long to wait. But here's another thought: even if your kitty never warms up to people, she is
    via u/mesarasa
  • 18
    very happy with the other kitties, and has a good life. with you. So why send her back? If your goal was to give her a good home, you're doing that. Why would you stop?
    via u/mesarasa
  • 19
    Queen_Aurelia My cat hid for the first year I owned him. Now he is my baby. He just needed an understanding owner that would give him the time and space he needed.
    via u/Queen_Aurelia
  • 20
    Diane1967 It usually takes them about 3 months to adjust so giving her up now is kind of quick. I think she just needs more time. Every animal has their own personality so you can't expect them all to act the same. I have one who's afraid of everything and I've had her for 5 years. Nobody
    via u/Diane1967
  • 21
    other than me and the vet have even seen her before because the minute she hears the door she's in the bedroom hiding. It's just her personality and I don't know what she went through before me. My other 3 are outgoing beyond words, the one is just a loner. Doesn't make her a bad cat and I'd never part with her. Your cat
    via u/Diane1967
  • 22
    may or may not come around in time, nobody can tell you that but to be fair she hasn't been given much time to adjust either.
    via u/Diane1967
  • 23
    tela... As other people have said, give her at least 3 months. before deciding to give her away. The 3-3-3 rule is a good guide on what to expect with new animals. Be patient with her. I'm sure with some more time she'll become even more comfortable in her new home with her new people. It sounds like she's already learning to love you guys. :)
    via u/telarolig
  • 24
    Even when she fully adjusts, she may still have a skiddish personality. Every cat is different. Jackson Galaxy also has some helpful videos on how to help skiddish cats gain more confidence in their environment. They were helpful for me and my shy cat.
    via u/telarolig
  • 25
    Beneficial_Secret... . 4h ago It takes a cat roughly 3 months to actually feel at home with hoomans. Let your other cats welcome her in. That's all that matters right now. She'll catch on soon enough.
    via u/Beneficial_Secret_85

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pets heartwarming adopted advice feline Cats Sanctuary rescue
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