Scruffy orange cat who looks like Pooh Bear is labeled "aggressive", but gets one last chance at a happy life when a shelter volunteer steps in

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Oct 29, 2026 10:15 AM EDT

A formerly stray cat needs to feel safe before it can show its true colors. 

Every one of us has gone through some kind of trauma. And every one of us knows how hard it is to open up to people about that trauma. These things change us. They influence our reactions to certain things. And we think, just as people on the internet who are aware of the world, that there have been some major steps made in bringing awareness to the concept of these mental and emotional difficulties. But only when it comes to people. When it comes to cats, people do not understand. 

Cats, believe it or not, are not just cute. They are complex creatures with their own emotions and personalities. Cats have habits. They have likes and dislikes. And they go through experiences that change and influence them just like we do. That is especially true for stray cats. We can never know what a stray cat has been through before it found its way to us. All we know is that they have been through something, and the colder they are, the more aloof, the more aggressive, the more likely it is that they have been through something difficult. And just like humans, they need patience. They need to be given a chance. A formerly stray cat needs to feel safe before it finally shows you its true colors. It's up to us to make them feel safe that way. The reward once we get there… is worth everything. 

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  • 01

    "They called me 'not a nice cat.' You made me your Pooh Bear."

    The shelter called him aggressive... 15 minutes after we met
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 02
    For my new Pooh fans, here's my story...
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 03
    Cheezburger Image 10673138176
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 04
    I was abandoned in a hotel room with a bl ding paw. I ended up in a shelter, where I spent a few days waiting for someone to notice me.
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10673137152
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 06
    My assistant came to rescue a black kitty, but another rescue had picked her up just minutes earlier. Then the shelter staff mentioned me: an orange, "aggressive" kitty who would be euthanized the next morning.
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10673137664
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 08
    "But I checked the list. He wasn't on it," she said. "We're going to add him."
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10673141760
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 10
    And just like that, I had one evening to find someone who would choose me.
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 11
    21
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 12
    My assistant already had several cats with medical needs. She wasn't planning to bring home another one. But she chose me.
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 13
    Cheezburger Image 10673142784
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 14
    At home, we were both a little scared of each other. Everything was new to me, and apparently she had never seen such a huge cat.
    via u/Lost_Night225
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    Cheezburger Image 10673142272
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 16
    Excuse me, ma'am. I'm a family pack.
    via u/Lost_Night225
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    Cheezburger Image 10673142528
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 18
    The next day, we had our first proper meeting. She sat quietly on the bed while I watched from the window. I decided to make the first move.
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 19
    Cheezburger Image 10673143296
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 20
    “Hi.” "Hi, how are you?" she said. I came closer for a few gentle pets... and within 15 minutes, I was her baby.
    via u/Lost_Night225
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    Cheezburger Image 10673143552
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 22
    The lady at the front desk told my assistant, "He's not a nice cat. He's aggressive. If you ever bring him back, we'll euthanize him immediately."
    via u/Lost_Night225

  • Something that we will never understand are cases like this. You found a cat who needs help, clearly and desperately. You rescued him. Without you, there's no telling if he would have survived or not. You likely saved his life. And a few days later, you are already giving up on him? How does that make sense? It was obvious that a cat like this was likely not going to get adopted within the first few days. He needed someone to take care of him physically, help him feel better, before he could start opening up to someone emotionally. To, on top of that, label him “aggressive”, whether it was true at the time or not, was only going to hurt his chances of being adopted. Why rescue him in the first place if you're going to write him off so fast?

     

  • 23
    Cheezburger Image 10673143808
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 24
    My assistant brought me home anyway. And within 15 minutes of our first proper meeting, that "not nice" cat was purring and asking for more pets.
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 25
    CATA
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 26
    Turns out, I had a whole lot of love waiting for someone who would give me a chance.
    via u/Lost_Night225
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    Cheezburger Image 10673144064
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 28
    Then she shared my pictures here, you started calling me Pooh Bear, and now I'm YOUR Pooh Bear.
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 29
    Cheezburger Image 10673144320
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 30
    I recently had entropion sur ry because my eyelids were turning inward, making my eyes painful and cloudy and affecting my vision.
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 31
    Cheezburger Image 10673144576
    via u/Lost_Night225

  • Obviously this cat is not an aggressive one. He was hurt and scared, and he needed someone to be kind to him. Cats like this need at least a little bit of time to understand where they are and what their new reality is. Once he realized that he was actually safe, that he could relax and stop being so guarded, only then did he let himself show who he really is. A cuddle bug. A love bug. A Pooh Bear full of so, so much love to give. Cats like this need a chance. A real chance. That's all. 

  • 32
    My eyelashes were rubbing against my corneas. But I kept being a sweet boy, even when I was hurting.
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 33
    I'm still healing, and I might need another surry, so I'm not officially available for adoption yet. My assistant also thinks I might not hear properly.
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 34
    Maybe I'm just ignoring her. A gentleman needs some privacy.
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 35
    Many of you have kindly asked how to help with my treatment. My medical expenses are covered right now, so we don't need monetary donations for my care. Thank you for caring about me so much.
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 36
    If you'd still like to send me something, I happily accept food and toys. Being a family pack comes with a family-sized appetite. ② And your love and good wishes are always welcome.
    via u/Lost_Night225
  • 37
    Sending every one of you a big, soft Pooh hug. Thank you for choosing to love me, too.
    via u/Lost_Night225

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aww wholesome cat adorable heartwarming cute story Cats rescue
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