A kitten living in a lot full of other cats used to hide from everyone, but one day, a foster volunteer petted her for the first time, changing her life forever.
A towing company reached out to Alley Cat Project, a volunteer cat rescue group, because they were concerned about the safety of some cats living in an abandoned boat on their lot. As they explained:
“It’s a busy spot, with lots of sharp objects and cars being moved around at any time, so they wanted help safely relocating them.”
The rescue team set up humane traps with cameras to monitor and wait for the cats to enter. Soon, a tiny calico kitten, lured by the smell of food, stepped out of hiding.
After some time, they safely caught the calico kitten and two orange tabby cats. Thinking they might all be related, a foster volunteer named Josh Norem took them in to help them adjust to human contact.
However, it quickly became clear that the little calico wasn’t interested in the tabby cats. She was scared and defensive, and not only that, but she hissed and swatted at anyone who got close.
But once she was alone with Josh, her fear started to fade. She even began purring and slowly moved closer, allowing Josh to pet her for the very first time.
Her behavior shifted from hiding and hissing to purring and standing with confidence. Her eyes softened, and she started to show trust. As Josh shared in an interview:
“It took her a few days to come out of her shell and start to trust me, but when she did, the most amazing thing happened. At one point, she reached out for my hand, then lifted it up to her face and gently licked it a few times.”
As she gained confidence, the kitten (now named Katy Purry) began exploring her new surroundings, filling the room with her loud happy purrs as she walked.
Katy continued letting Josh pet her, and even when he left the room so she could eat in peace, she eagerly waited for him to return before eating.
She loved belly rubs, always stretching out her legs as if asking for more. It’s heartbreaking to think how many belly rubs she missed during those months spent in hiding.
Soon, Katy was climbing onto Josh’s lap for snuggles, purring nonstop and kneading on his lap.
Now that she was feeling safe at last, Katy finally let Josh examine her closely, and he found a wound on her belly.
Katy was about eight months old but she was very small, likely due to poor nutrition. After getting her wound treated, she was moved to another foster home with a woman named Patti, who could provide all the care she needed. As Patty shared:
“She is initially shy but readily works up to a loud purr. She seeks pets and especially seems to love chin scratches.”
Perhaps Katy missed Josh, but once she saw her new toys, her playful side shone once again. She started to love running through a short cat tunnel and chasing her chirping bird toy around. Patti was thrilled to meet this playful and feisty side of her.
However, more than anything in the world, Katy loves spending time with her foster mom and snuggling in her lap.
She even made friends with Patti’s adult cat, who often helps her care for other foster kitties. Now, Katy enjoys a life filled with yummy food, toys, and lots of love.
It’s amazing how, with a little bit of love, Katy transformed from a shy, frightened cat into a playful and cuddly feline ready for family life!
Leave a comment