Family adopts a timid senior cat nobody wanted and gives him all the time he needs to feel loved

Author image for Sarah Brown
Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
Nov 15, 2026 9:30 AM EST

Some cats march into a new home like they own the place, while others need a little more time to find their paws. For one shy nine-year-old void, getting adopted was only the beginning of a whole new adventure. His first order of business? Finding the smallest possible corner to hide in!

Mojo Jojo was surrendered to a shelter after his previous owner could no longer care for him. While the older female cat surrendered alongside him was adopted, nobody showed much interest in Mojo. That changed when a family shopping for their resident 15-year-old cat spotted him at a pet store and decided to bring him home. Initially, the frightened feline hid in a corner before retreating beneath a dresser. His new humans gave him space to adjust, and he soon started eating, drinking, and exploring. In a promising update, they even found him perched on the bathroom countertop!

We can only imagine how strange it must feel for a cat to suddenly find himself surrounded by unfamiliar smells, furniture, and people. One day, everything is familiar, and the next, even the floor beneath those little paws is brand new. We'd probably want to hide under a dresser for a while, too!

Cats can remind us that affection isn't always immediate. Some are ready to climb into our laps within five minutes of meeting us, while others prefer to conduct a thorough background check before allowing a single head scratch. We suppose it's only fair. We wouldn't immediately trust a giant stranger who suddenly decided we were roommates!

The sweetest part of welcoming a nervous kitty home might be watching those small changes in behavior. A little peek around the corner, a brave venture across the room, or the first time they decide to stay put instead of running away can feel like winning the lottery. Even a cat choosing to nap somewhere other than their usual hiding spot is worth celebrating.

Once Mojo gets comfortable, his new humans might discover that their timid little houseguest has a mischievous side. Today's shy kitty could be tomorrow's demanding breakfast supervisor or keyboard hog. We wouldn't be surprised if he eventually claims every comfortable chair in the house.

For now, we're rooting for this precious little void to take all the time he needs. Those future cuddles will be even sweeter when he decides he's ready!

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  • 01
    We saw him at the pet store when we went to get some cat furniture for our resident 15 year old cat. He started tracking me with this sad resigned look. Apparently, his
    via okishkash
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    owner could not take care of him and left him and an older female at the shelter. She got adopted but no one asked for him.
    via okishkash
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    Cheezburger Image 10677174528
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  • 04
    Now he has a home and hopefully soon he feels like he belongs here.
    via okishkash
  • 05
    Final edit: some good news! he found his legs! I walked in to find him on the bathroom countertop. Yesterday when he saw us walking towards him, he would
    via okishkash
  • 06
    freeze unable to move. This morning he jumped down and ran away. I immediately walked out and let him have his space.
    via okishkash
  • 07
    Gray cat yawns in bathroom sink.
    via Art and Funny

    Image depicted solely for explanatory purposes.

  • 08
    His name is Mojo short for Mojo Jojo. Refers to the power puff girls. We got Blossom 25 years ago. Of course like all cats he will have a bunch of other names.
    via okishkash
  • 09
    I have to also say that I have really loved all the stories you have shared about your cats. Clearly they were all loved dearly.
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  • 10
    I will update next week in a separate post. Edit 3: Thank you for all the upvotes and comments. He has his own space with lots of places to hide and stay warm. We are happy he is eating, drinking water and using the liter box. I will post an update in a few days.
    via okishkash
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    Edit 2: he has a cardboard box and a cat bed but is choosing to sit under the dresser.
    via okishkash
  • 12
    Edit: I didn't expect so many comments. Thank you for taking the time to send good wishes and words of wisdom. They are appreciated.
    via okishkash
  • 13
    We are taking it very slow. He is in a bedroom with an adjoining bathroom. The picture was taken as soon as he stepped out of the box. Since then he has eaten and used the litter box. He is now
    via okishkash
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    Black cat enjoying a nap in a yellow cat bed.
    via AG ZN from Pexels / Canva

    Scene is illustrative and does not depict actual individuals or events. 
     

  • 15
    hiding under a very low dresser. He makes eye contact and listens when I talk to him. He is choosing to remain out of reach and we are perfectly fine with that.
    via okishkash
  • 16
    I posted the picture because it was the exact opposite of the last time we adopted a cat that no one wanted. She was 3 and very angry with the world. I would
    via okishkash
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    have to put her in timeout for a few minutes every couple of hours because she would get so angry she could not control herself. That was 12 years ago.
    via okishkash
  • 18
    Right now at 15 years old she is sleeping on my desk with her tail on the keyboard as I try to type. :) I can't wait to see what this guy teaches us.
    via okishkash
  • 19
    bluepanic21 I actually feel sorry for people who dislike cats or have never had one. It's impossible to describe the feeling of love you get from a cat.
    via bluepanic21

  • More cats for the rest of us, we say! We'll never quite understand how anyone could look at those adorable little faces, tiny toe beans, and fluffy tails and not immediately fall in love. But hey, to each their own! If some people aren't interested in having a feline friend, that's their loss. We're more than happy to give all that extra love and attention to the cattos who deserve it!

  • 20
    Peripatetictyl I found a lot of success with my shy guy at the beginning by laying on the floor. I'd get settled, stay still, and he'd start to adventure around the room and me on the floor. Eventually, he'd nudge me, or I'd put my hand out still, and let him 'pet me' at first.
    via Peripatetictyl
  • 21
    metooneither We adopted a cat that had been passed from foster home to foster home. She was very shy and subdued when we got her home. It took awhile, but when she realized she was in her forever home, her personality came out. She's the Queen Bee No doubt about it
    via metooneither
  • 22
    Excellent-Apple-7608 Baby glad he's got a forever home now
    via Excellent-Apple-7608
  • 23
    TwoOfCups22 Oh, that sweet baby. It's so hard to see that, but I know he will realize that his life just got better. Thank you for giving him a home.
    via TwoOfCups22

  • Poor Mojo just needs a little time to warm up to his new home! After everything he's been through, we can't blame him for being a bit cautious around unfamiliar faces and surroundings. Luckily, his new humans seem happy to let him take things at his own pace. Before long, he'll hopefully realize he's finally safe and loved!

  • 24
    MRSRN65 My son went to the humane society this time last year. He asked which cats were the most unadoptable. They pointed out two shy elderly cats. One was feral with only 3 legs. My son adopted both. They hid behind and inside furniture for quite a while. They have both transformed into the snuggliest love bugs.
    via MRSRN65
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    WoobleBriar Hope he learns that he never has to hide again
    via WoobleBriar
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    Fickle-Ad271 This was my 9 year old when I brought her home the first day. She actually warmed up pretty quickly and became a velcro cat, but she needed a little patience to get there. He'll get there too!
    via Fickle-Ad271
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    Ok-Beach3547 Lots of patience. Poor guy. Thank you for taking him.
    via Ok-Beach3547

  • All that patience and waiting will be worth it when Mojo finally feels comfortable enough to show off his true purrsonality! Right now, he's still figuring out his new surroundings, but we bet there's a whole lot of charm hiding beneath that shy exterior. Whether he turns out to be a cuddly sweetheart or a mischievous little troublemaker, watching him come out of his shell will be absolutely precious!

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wholesome heartwarming shy voids adopted Cats black cat rescue
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