Cat purrson adopts shy shelter cat, spends months gaining her trust with no improvement, until the cat opens up one day and decides they're meant to be together furrever: 'Now she's the queen of the house'

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Oct 13, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

This is one of the main ways that cats are different than dogs - dogs are inherently trusting, but cats? You have to earn the trust of a cat. A lot of people get purrfectly upset when they bring a cat back for the first time because most cats will hide for at least a few hours upon arriving to a new home. But for all of us feline expurrts, we know that this is normal. 

Cats need time to adjust to a new environment, even if it's one that is full of love. Many will mistake this for the cat not liking them, but it's all just part of the kitty's process. 

Some cats take longer than others to warm up. It's not uncommon for especially shy cats to take weeks, even months, to come out of hiding. Unfortunately, a lot of cats are returned during this period because their hoomans weren't patient enough. However, if you can wait it out, the scared baby will eventually understand that you are purrfectly trustworthy, and then you will have a best friend fur life.

That's exactly what happened below - a loving cat purrson adopted a shy shelter cat, who spent months hiding in her home. Every night after work, she would read to the cat, or speak about her day, leaving treats for her to take after she left the room. Eventually, the cat came out, and now she's queen of the house.

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  • 01

    The Cat Who Finally Decided I Was Worth Her Time

    Person petting a cat including 'Looking back, she didn't just warm up. She decided I was safe.'
    via Aleksandr Zotov

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    When I first brought home my cat, Luna, I honestly thought I'd made a mistake. She was this small gray tabby with big eyes and the personality of a ghost she didn't want to be seen, touched, or even acknowledged.
    via Elsie_Daisy2774
  • 03
    The shelter told me she'd warm up eventually, but for the first few weeks, all I saw of her was a tail disappearing under the couch.
    via Elsie_Daisy2774
  • 04
    Every day after work, I'd sit quietly in the same spot on the floor and just talk to her.
    via Elsie_Daisy2774
  • 05
    Nothing dramatic I'd read out loud, tell her about my day, or just sit there scrolling on my phone so she could get used to my presence.
    via Elsie_Daisy2774

  • This is so wholesome - we just imagine her sitting on the floor and telling her about all the office drama, or how they were out of her furvorite cereal at the grocery store, all while the cat hides underneath the sofa, listening. Sure, she doesn't really understand what she is saying, but she's getting used to her presence, and slowly understanding that the hooman in front of her just wants to be a part of her life.

  • 06
    I'd leave treats nearby, but she wouldn't touch them until I left the room. It honestly started to feel like I was living with a very judgmental roommate who wanted nothing to do with me.
    via Elsie_Daisy2774
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10563299328
    via Qaiser's images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    Then, one night, I was half asleep on the couch and felt something soft brush against my hand.
    via Elsie_Daisy2774
  • 09
    Luna had crept out and was sniffing my fingers. She darted away the second I moved, but it was the first time she'd approached me on her own.
    via Elsie_Daisy2774
  • 10
    That tiny moment weirdly made my whole week. Over the next few months, she started coming closer sitting near me when I ate, jumping on the bed but staying at the very edge, then eventually curling up right beside me.
    via Elsie_Daisy2774
  • 11
    Now she's the queen of the house. She meows at me if I'm late feeding her, sleeps on my chest like she owns me, and gives me that slow blink every cat owner knows.
    via Elsie_Daisy2774

  • Every cat owner understands the slow blink - it's the ultimate sign of love from a kitty! It basically means “I love you, and I trust you” in cat. We love exchanging slow blinks with our cat, she always comes to cuddle with us afterwards!

  • 12
    Looking back, she didn't just warm up. She decided I was safe. I didn't realize how much trust that really takes until she gave it to me.
    via Elsie_Daisy2774
  • 13
    Cheezburger Image 10563299584
    via IvanJekic

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 14
    Plastic_Excitement87.18h ago Awe, sounds like you got a good one!
    via Plastic_Excitement87
  • 15
    Expensive_Flight_179 18h ago Amazing You put in the work and the time, and in doing so, you allowed Luna to feel safe on her own timetable. Let me tell you one thing: you now have a forever loyal friend who will continue to blossom now that you have earned her trust.
    via Expensive_Flight_179
  • 16
    DansQuelleEtagere · 17h ago Ok, that's a real beautiful, moving story. But it's pretty incomplete: WHERE IS YOUR CAT TAX???!!!
    via DansQuelleEtagere
  • 17
    Dramastace30 · 18h ago . You are clearly a cat person!!!!!
    via Dramastace30
  • 18
    Satsuki7104 · 17h ago Wonderful patience OP! I'm glad you took the time and effort to make her feel safe instead of forcing it like I hear so many other people doing. They blame the cats for being aggressive when they haven't earned the
    via Satsuki7104
  • 19
    acknowledgment of the cat or say it's because it came from the shelter. Most of my cats have been either wild or shelter rescues and none of them have been aggressive towards me so I find their claims bizarre. Great job OP and make sure that you give her all the love she deserves when she's ready for it!
    via Satsuki7104
  • 20
    disapproving_cake 16h ago It's the most wonderful thing in the world to be trusted by an animal and to feel completely safe with you. There's nothing else like it.
    via disapproving_cake
  • 21
    angelictrouble 13h ago She didn't just warm up - she chose you. That's the best feeling ever.
    via angelictrouble
  • 22
    . freyjathebl dy 15h ago I'm so glad you didn't give up on her! Some babies just next extra time and patience.
    via freyjathebl**dy
  • 23
    My boy came to me semi feral 5 years ago. Hissing spitting biting attacking. He was not a nice kitten, I called him a hellbeast. But with lots of patience, sliced turkey (he'll do anything for deli meat!), and communication we figured it out. Now he's my best friend and shadow. I wake up to him every morning asking to be let under the covers for a snuggle.
    via freyjathebl**dy
  • 24
    BeachedCrab • 15h ago It sounds like you did everything right. Congrats on the reward. I agree that it's a matter of the cat deciding that you were safe and that it's about trust. It's about respect and trust, going both ways.
    via BeachedCrab
  • 25
    It took five months for our hoarder cat to decide that I was safe and that I could pet her. It took another two months for me to pet her whenever I want. It was well worth the effort and doubt. Best of luck to you and your kitty.
    via BeachedCrab
  • 26
    xxtatgirl93xx • 14h ago . Aw that's such a heart warming story. I'm glad she is now your little furry best friend.
    via xxtatgirl93xx
  • 27
    Finalgirl2022 • 13h ago Our cat is very NOT cuddly. She is loving and she is also very confident haha. She rules the house. But because she isn't cuddly, she seems standoffish. Until she desperately needs attention lol.
    via Finalgirl2022
  • 28
    Then I have to pick her up and march her around the kitchen or give her so many face pets. She has decided that her dad is the best. She doesn't cuddle with him so much as stretch across as much of him as she can.
    via Finalgirl2022
  • 29
    But seeing her confidence is such a reward. Even if she doesn't cuddle, I know she feels so safe that she can yell at me (and the dog) all day and she will still be the baby.
    via Finalgirl2022

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queen adoption shy animal rescue adopted feline cat rescue forever home trust Cats loving animals rescue
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