Clever Shelter Cat In Lakewood, Colorado Uses Sneaky Trick To Stay Hidden
Some cats adjust to new environments quickly, strutting around like they own the place from the very first day. Others, like Theodore, take a little more time, and a lot more creativity, to feel safe.
Theodore is a friendly orange tabby who recently arrived at Cat Care Society after being surrendered by his previous family.
According to the paperwork, the reason given was “house soiling issues.” But once Theodore arrived at the shelter, it became clear that there was much more to his story than a simple behavioral concern.
Ariana Jenks, the marketing manager at Cat Care Society, explained that Theodore’s real struggle is his fear of leaving spaces where he feels secure. As they explained in an interview:
“According to his surrender paperwork, his fear is ‘leaving any space he is comfortable in’.”
That fear made his transition into the shelter a little overwhelming. At Cat Care Society, cats are allowed to roam freely once they’ve had their medical checkups.
When Theodore was given the chance to explore, all the new sights, sounds, and smells became too much for him. Instead of confidently walking around like some of the other cats, Theodore went in search of a hiding spot.
After some time, Theodore discovered a unique place where he could both hide and observe his surroundings: under a big bed. This wasn’t just a quick hide-and-seek game, Theodore actually made it his personal safe zone.
Ariana recalled a funny moment when the staff first realized what he was up to.
“Our animal care supervisor, Michelle, noticed he was under there early the next morning as she was doing her daily cleaning and noticed the bed on the floor was not where she left it. She continued cleaning and realized the bed was migrating everywhere!”
It turned out Theodore had been crawling underneath the bed and moving it around the room like a turtle shell. From there, he could peek out safely without feeling too exposed.
In his mind, he was probably completely invisible, a belief many cats share when they hide under blankets, inside boxes, or behind furniture.
While Theodore’s hiding strategy was clever and cute, the staff had a small concern: what if potential adopters overlooked him? Or worse, what if another cat jumped on the bed while Theodore was tucked away underneath?
To make sure Theodore stayed safe and visible, Michelle put up a sign:
“Michelle put up the sign as soon as she saw a little orange cat named Teddy lying on top of the bed (we secretly think Teddy knew Theo was under there), and was afraid that he would either be missed by potential adopters and/or sat on.”
Even though Theodore hasn’t been at the shelter very long, the other cats are already helping him adjust. Some visit him near his hiding spot, offering quiet companionship, while others simply go about their business, showing him that the shelter is a safe place. Slowly but surely, Theodore is learning to trust his new environment.
For now, his bed remains his safe shell, and that’s perfectly fine. Every cat copes differently, and the staff at Cat Care Society are giving him the patience and support he needs.
The sweetest part of Theodore’s story is the hope surrounding him. The staff and volunteers are confident that the perfect family is out there, someone who will understand his shy nature and give him the time he needs to bloom.
Until then, Theodore will be waiting, tucked under his big bed, ready to meet the people who will finally give him the safe and loving forever home he deserves.
