'It's honestly heartbreaking': Frightened foster kitten gets abandoned by two families, but the third becomes his furrever home when new pawrent refuses to give up on this adorable scaredy cat

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Dec 9, 2025 12:00 PM EST

We've all gone through the painful expurriences of introducing a new cat to a new home. Some of them come out of their shell quite quickly, exploring their new kingdom like they already own it. Others, on the other hand, require a lot of patience and a gentle touch. Especially if they are scared of hoomans from past homes, like the beautiful, but frightened, feline in our post below.

Cats move at their own pace. And when they're scared, it's best to get down on their level and move with them. If you try to force improvement, you'll end up making things worse. You're building trust, and if you've ever broken trust with someone before, you know how difficult it can be to build it back up again.

So, back to our kitty below. He is only 6 months old, and he's in his third foster home in three months. That's a lot of change for any cat! Two families before returned him because he would only hide, but his new pawrent refuses to give up on this adorable scaredy cat. They asked for advice and the cat community helped them find ways to get him to open up. Read through their advice and this kitten's furrever home below!

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  • 01

    What can I do to "make him love me"? My home is his third in three months.

    White cat
    via Apprehensive-Arm2105
  • 02
    His name is Cumulus. He's all white, ~6 months, British. Didn't have a pleasant experience at all at his first homes.
    via Apprehensive-Arm2105
  • 03
    What can I do to make him love us? He doesn't even want to come inside from the balcony although I see him shivering. Being too attentive seems not working. But that is the only way I know to show someone that I care. Help please.
    via Apprehensive-Arm2105
  • 04
    efiality 14h ago All you can do is give him time and space!
    via efiality
  • 05
    Five_Possum_Raincoat • 14h ago My advice for skittish kitties: Give them a space where they can go to be alone/hide. It's best if you can see them or reach them here, but under a bed, under a couch, in a corner--it's all good. It's also ideal if this is,
    via Five_Possum_Raincoat
  • 06
    at least for now, "their" room. (Note: be well aware of the potential hiding places in this space. I have had multiple cats seemingly vanish because I didn't think it was possible for a cat to squeeze itself into a certain spot.)
    via Five_Possum_Raincoat

  • It's funny how cautious cats are when they're scared, because when they're not scared, all caution gets thrown out the window like yesterday's kibble. You know what they say about cats and curiosity - it tends to get them in trouble. Where is all this cautiousness before they decided to get themselves stuck in the fishbowl for the 10th time?

  • 07
    Kitten hiding underneath wooden drawers
    via Ghostl

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

  • 08
    Don't spend a lot of time. bothering them here. Go about your day, but make sure to have humans spending some time nearby so they get used to a little noise and activity. Also give kitty time alone, especially if they're really scared of humans and won't come out to use the litter box or eat/drink/explore with people around.
    via Five_Possum_Raincoat
  • 09
    Do occasionally bother them, though. Talk gently, give slow blinks until they blink back at you, and offer a hand for them to sniff. Give them some very gentle pets if they'll allow it. Don't move suddenly or make loud noises--we're trying to build trust here.
    via Five_Possum_Raincoat
  • 10
    Kitty might still prefer to be alone for a while, but might start being more receptive to your visits. The goal is to make kitty trust you enough to want to come out and spend time with you. When you have a little trust built, offer treats in your outstretched hand. If that's not acceptable for kitty, put a treat between you, a little closer to them than to yourself.
    via Five_Possum_Raincoat
  • 11
    In my experience, younger cats adapt faster, but it has always taken about a week of consistent effort for me to see some change in behavior, whether that's suddenly loving me dearly (younger cat) or simply coming out to see me at all (older).
    via Five_Possum_Raincoat
  • 12
    Fluffy cat hiding
    via payphoto

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

  • 13
    • Swimming_Balance_917 14h ago Orange You know the little baby doesn't trust you when he sits in balcony shivering.its honestly heartbreaking to hear.
    via Swimming_Balance_917

  • Fear is a powerful motivator. But, fear can also be beaten, and it can be replaced with trust with an open hand, lots of patience, and even more treats. He will come around, just be consistently invested and not pushy.

  • 14
    All you can do is try to gain his trust slowly. Sit on floor near him in balcony. Give him his time, space and love bomb with unlimited treats. I'm sure he'll come out of his shell and grow to love you...
    via Swimming_Balance_917
  • 15
    marybellle · 14h ago If he's been passed around and been poorly treated before coming to your home, it will definitely take time for him to come around and for his new pleasant memories to overcome his past experiences. I'd probably do my best to load him up with
    via marybellle
  • 16
    lots of different special soft foods and treats. I'd make sure to give him space but also give him regular tiny spurts of attention or just spend time sitting nearby to build up trust if he's not okay being petted yet etc. If the balcony is where he's most comfortable at the moment, then
    via marybellle
  • 17
    I'd also look into getting a pressure sensitive heating pad for cats, or one of those heated cat houses (depending on finances and how much space is available). It'll just take time more than anything, and the consistency of being in a loving environment. Please hold fast, be patient and try not to lose heart He'll eventually figure out that you're safe and loving and will come out of his shell
    via marybellle
  • 18
    Hippopotasaurus-Rex • 13h ago Make him a warm, safe, enclosed, weatherproof place to sleep. You can find ideas online. Feed him. This will help him realize you're trying to help him, if even slowly.
    via Hippopotasaurus-Rex
  • 19
    Just sit in the balcony with him. Get on his level. Sit on the ground a couple feet away from him and softy talk to him. Don't try to pet him or anything. Don't make sudden movements. Move slowly. Just talking and being in the same space will help. Slowly you can move closer or reach you hand out to see if he accepts it.
    via Hippopotasaurus-Rex
  • 20
    If he does let you pet/touch, you can reinforce it with a little treat. Or a verbal "good job". Remember slow movements. Cat are basically furry introverts. Don't stare. Don't be overbearing or in his face. Be calm and patient.
    via Hippopotasaurus-Rex
  • 21
    Ritaredditonce 14h ago . Can you set up a FELIWAY Classic Diffuser near the balcony to calm the kitty and entice them to come in.
    via Ritaredditonce
  • 22
    haapahands • 14h ago Can't "make" him love you but! A lot of patience goes a long way. He is 6 months old and has seen a lot unfortunately, however he has sooo much time to become the cat he was meant to be. Many cats end up building trust and coming to
    via haapahands
  • 23
    you when you don't push them too hard to socialize. It sounds counter-intuitive, but it works. Just make sure he has all the things he needs like food, water, potty, and a warm, quiet place to sleep or relax and he will very likely open up. You're going to make a great companion for him since you are dedicated to keeping him in a safe place. He just needs some time!
    via haapahands
  • 24
    • Downtown_Anteater_38 13h ago Go at his pace. My cat came to me 2.5 years ago. The first month she hid during the day, creeping out at night to eat and use the litterbox. At the time I set cameras up under the bed and around the floor, and that's the only way that I saw her. She would creep out from under the bed and look up to make sure I was asleep before coming out.
    via Downtown_Anteater_38
  • 25
    After a month she started coming out, but would usually run and hide if she saw me After about 3 months she started sleeping with me - but only after I was already asleep. I would wake up with her sleeping between my legs, and once she knew I was awake she would leave.
    via Downtown_Anteater_38
  • 26
    Recently, she started climbing onto my lap when I am sitting in bed watching TV at night. She doesn't like to be picked up, if my face gets near hers she runs away, she doesn't want much to do with me during the daytime, though she usually doesn't run and hide from me anymore.
    via Downtown_Anteater_38
  • 27
    If she is going to become an affectionate lap cat it will probably take at least 5 more years, but I can pet her, even during the day, and she keeps making advancements, so I accept what she is willing to give.
    via Downtown_Anteater_38

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kitten adopted feline cat rescue forever home Cats loving animals rescue
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