'All she needed was a calm start': Black cat labeled as "difficult", after having been returned to the shelter twice for behavioral issues, finally gets adopted by someone who actually understands her

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Feb 24, 2026 11:00 AM EST

Cats are just like people - they bond with the ones who actually try to understand them. 

It's easy to call a cat "difficult" when you don't make an effort to understand it. Simply expecting a cat to waltz into your life and fit right in is unrealistic. The cat will have to make adjustments for you, and you will have to make adjustments for the cat, just like with anyone else. People who don't understand cats wouldn't get half of the completely normal things that they do on a daily basis. They wouldn't understand that cats trying to sneak food off your plate behind your back is normal, that cats screaming at closed doors and then not wanting to go through when you open them is normal, the fact that cats having zoomies and running across your face in the middle of the night sometimes it - yes - normal. 

All of these things are simply a part of who our cats are. And we accept them just as they are. The cat in this story, who was labeled "difficult" by the shelter that it was returned to didn't deserve that label. It just needed to find someone who actually attempted to understand.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

Advertisement
  • 01

    "Happy ending"

    Wele
    via usedfurnace01
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10608690432
    via usedfurnace01
  • 03
    Cheezburger Image 10608686592
    via usedfurnace01
  • 04
    I rescued Shade around two months ago. She was returned TWICE to the same rescue. The first owner had four other cats and she didn't use the litterbox so after three months she was returned. The second people to have her were a group of college kids who just let her free in a two story home without showing her a litterbox.
    via usedfurnace01
  • 05
    She was returned for the same reason. I brought her home, kept her in one safe room for a few days, and to this day haven't had a single issue with her using the litterbox. Literally all she needed was a calm start.
    via usedfurnace01
  • 06
    She is tiny (8 pounds) and the most lovable cat I've ever met. When she's not playing fetch with me she's sleeping on me or cuddled against my face or chest, she loves being held. I love this cat so much and it's been so amazing watching her come out of her shell :)
    via usedfurnace01

  • Some people honestly don't understand cats. You can see it so easily in the way that they treat them. With the first person, the cat owner, it seems like there was at least an attempt to keep the cat and get them used to their environment. Sometimes, it really just doesn't work out. Maybe this kitty didn't like the company in that house. But with the second owner… dropping a cat into the middle of a giant house, without a corner for themselves, without them knowing where anything is, that's just a recipe for disaster. It's no surprise that it didn't work out. She needed someone who would understand her and what she needs, and thankfully, it seems that she found it. 

  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10608689664
    via usedfurnace01
  • 08
    THE
    via usedfurnace01
  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10608687616
    via usedfurnace01
  • 10
    O
    via usedfurnace01
  • 11
    anicho01 Poor kitty. So many people don't understand the care that most pets, including cats, need. I was definitely like this in my twenties, so I'm glad she's living her best fairy tale life now
    via anicho01
  • 12
    usedfurnace01 OP Definitely same. I'm very sympathetic when it comes to surrendering animals, sometimes that's just necessary in bad situations. What I don't understand is not trying to troubleshoot even a little bit. It's frustrating because she was then labeled as a 'difficult' cat. She could have sat in that shelter for years because of that. Everything happens for a reason though, I'm glad I ended up with her.
    via usedfurnace01

  • Marking a cat as “difficult” or “unwanted” is just about one of the worst things that you can do to it. People don't often stop and ask why or what happened that made them label the cat this way. They simply see the label and stop seeing the cat as an option. We need more people like the person in this story - ones who don't give up on cats so easily and who understand that there is no such thing as a bad cat, only a cat who hasn't found the right people yet. 

  • 13
    Minsc_NBooToo She is so sweet! I'm glad you found each other What is it with voids & playing fetch? My little dude loves plastic springs. He'll randomly drop one at your feet when he wants to play fetch He'd be an excellent goalkeeper as he's great at making dramatic saves
    via Minsc_NBooToo
  • 14
    usedfurnace01 OP Right?? She's the first cat I've ever had, I didn't even know that's something they would do. Maybe we can start a league ●
    via usedfurnace01
  • 15
    Weird-Girl-675 She's beautiful! Thank you for giving this girl the love she needed/deserved.
    via Weird-Girl-675
  • 16
    Dazzlingbabee4 Shade's living her best diva life now
    via Dazzlingbabee4
  • 17
    BKEDDIE82 Glad you got her back. Some people don't deserve animals.
    via BKEDDIE82
  • 18
    MexsikanaBanana The first pic, it looks like she's saying "really? I'm here to stay for good?"
    via MexsikanaBanana
  • 19
    CaterpillarAlert7362 Ohhh lil vampire your heart hoomaan Thank you for
    via CaterpillarAlert7362
  • 20
    Good-Adhesiveness868 A calm start is what we all need.
    via Good-Adhesiveness868

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

aww wholesome cat adorable adoption heartwarming cute adopted story Cats rescue
Scroll Down For The Next Article