Shy Kitten Rescued From Parking Lot In Seattle Keeps Hiding Until One Touch Changes Everything

In a lot crowded with cats, one timid little kitten kept her distance, always hiding from people. But everything shifted the day a foster volunteer gently petted her for the very first time – a simple act that changed her life forever.

The story began when a towing company contacted Alley Cat Project, a volunteer-based rescue group in Seattle, worried about several cats that had made an abandoned boat on their

As they explained in an interview:

“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 placed humane traps and set up cameras to keep watch, patiently waiting for the cats to wander inside. Before long, a small calico kitten, tempted by the food, emerged from her hiding spot.

In time, they managed to safely capture the calico along with two orange tabbies. 

Believing they could be from the same family, foster volunteer Josh Norem welcomed them into his care, determined to help them grow comfortable around people.

It soon became obvious that the calico wasn’t bonded with the tabbies at all. She kept her distance, tense and defensive, hissing and swatting whenever anyone tried to approach.

But when she was alone with Josh, her walls began to come down. Her fear softened, and before long she was purring and inching closer, finally letting Josh 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.”

With her confidence growing, the little kitten, now named Katy Purry, started to explore her surroundings, her loud, cheerful purrs echoing as she padded around the room.

She welcomed Josh’s gentle pets more and more, and even when he stepped out to give her space for meals, she would wait excitedly for his return before touching her food.

She quickly developed a love for belly rubs, stretching out her little legs as though she was asking for them to never stop.

It was bittersweet to realize how many of those tender moments she had missed while hiding away.

Before long, Katy was curling up in Josh’s lap, purring endlessly and kneading with her tiny paws as she soaked up all the affection she had once gone without.

Once Katy felt truly safe, she allowed Josh to give her a closer check, and that’s when he discovered a wound on her belly.

Though she was around eight months old, she remained quite small, most likely from a lack of proper nourishment during her early months.

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.”

Maybe Katy had simply missed Josh, but the moment she discovered her new toys, her playful spirit came alive.

She darted through a little cat tunnel and pounced after a chirping bird toy with endless energy. Patti was delighted to see this lively, spirited side of her shine through.

More than anything else, Katy adores being close to her foster mom, curling up in her lap whenever she gets the chance.

She’s even bonded with Patti’s adult cat, who often lends a paw in caring for the fosters. Today, Katy’s days are filled with good food, fun toys, and an endless supply of love.

It’s incredible to see how a little love completely changed Katy. From a timid, fearful kitten, she transformed into a playful, affectionate cat who’s now ready for a forever home!