'He decided he wanted to be loved': Person adopts the "most evil cat" in the shelter, despite staff encouraging otherwise, and although it takes time, finally, the feline lets him guard down enough to start purring and love his human and his dog

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Jul 24, 2026 1:30 PM EDT

There is no such thing as an "evil" cat, only a cat who is misunderstood and needs to be given a real chance. 

It honestly kind of shocks us to hear shelters refer to cats as "evil". We know shelters, we work with shelters, and we know that the people working there are some of the nicest humans you will ever meet. And yet, this is something that happens. Shelters label cats. That's part of what they do. These descriptions and nicknames are part of what helps them attract adopters. But labeling a cat as "mean" or "bad" or "evil" just kind of seems unfair to us. You could be a "difficult" cat but never a "bad" one. It could be a tactic, of course. Some people want to give a chance to cats who others skip. And sometimes, it works. When a cat goes viral, no matter how "bad" that cat may be, it will get hundreds of adoption applications. But shelter cats who go viral are few and far between, so more often than not, these kitties are just stuck there, in the shelter, with that awful nickname hindering their adoption chances. 

Cobweb's story is the worst of this kind in our opinion. The person who adopted him shared their story on r/cats, and they explained that not only did the shelter label this cat as "evil", but when this person saw this cat and was actively interested in adopting him, the shelter discouraged them, telling them to look for other cats. They didn't listen, and thank god for that. They felt a bond with this cat from the instant they saw him, and finally, someone gave this "bad" cat a chance. It took a month - just one month - for him to turn from this "evil" cat into the biggest cuddlebug in the world. 

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    "Newly adopted cat peed on couch (first time cat owner)"

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  • Maybe we're biased because we know the story, but in this picture of him still in the shelter, he looks far more terrified than he does evil. 

  • 02
    Hi! I adopted the most evil cat in the shelter, as staff described, despite being encouraged to look at friendlier cats. Something about him I just couldn't not give him a chance.
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  • 03
    I brought him home and set him up in an empty bedroom I have. He was extremely petrified and wanted nothing to do with me so I just let him be to decompress.
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  • 04
    Unfortunately, the same night, he managed to escape and go to my living room and pee on my couch. He then disappeared for 12 hours until he came out to eat the food I set out. He's now back in the bedroom.
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  • 05
    Can I attribute the couch peeing to his fearfulness and stress from the shelter/new home? Or should I be worried that this will continue after he hopefully decompresses and I let him access the rest of the house. Any and all advice appreciated!
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  • 06

    "update on cobweb my petrified shelter cat"

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    POSTERS PARIS
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    NIS
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    Cheezburger Image 10649281536
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  • Look at him, showing off his belly, cuddling with his friend. The thought of him still being at the shelter because the employees there encouraged you not to take him hurts our souls. Thank you for giving him a chance. 

  • 11
    I wanted to share an update on cobweb - my shelter cat who had 180- degree airplane ears, and who the shelter staff could only pet with a stickKCD_O (first pic is him in the shelter)
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  • 12
    The first night I got him, he peed on my couch, and I knew I was in for a long road, and potentially it not even working out.
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  • 13
    After tons of helpful comments on my original post, and some hate (like the person who said I was going to fail cobweb), I began a month-long process of secluding him to one room and slowly gaining his trust via churus.
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  • 14
    Eventually, I left his safe space's door open, and slowly he would venture out further and further. One day, it's like something switched, and he decided he wanted to be loved.
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  • 15
    Since then, Cobweb has become the best cat, and even best friends with my dog Dinky. They play endlessly, he's always in my shadow, and constantly purring.
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  • 16
    I wanted to thank everyone for your advice and your faith in cobweb! I hope he can be a success story for even the most 'difficult' shelter cats anything is - possible with love and patience.
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  • 17
    20061230-SL-Born 'could only pet with a stick' brought a tear to my eye. Well done Cobweb - and all else involoved :)
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  • 18
    No-Demand-8208 OP they couldn't even get him out of the cage for me to meet him at the shelter - it truly was a leap of faith
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  • 19
    RandyBree I adore Cobweb, but I think I'd actually di for Dinky angels! what sweet
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    No-Demand-8208 OP same e they are too cute together - dinky is elderly but acts like a puppy when they play
    via No-Demand-8208

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aww wholesome cat adorable adoption heartwarming cute adopted story Cats rescue
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