Couple Adopts The Angriest Cat From Phoenix Shelter And Changes Her Heart
When it comes to first impressions, not every shelter cat greets people with open paws. Many are shy, withdrawn, or even a little standoffish around potential adopters.
Because of this, some visitors at shelters may overlook them in favor of cats that seem more outgoing and social.
Thankfully, there are still kindhearted people who are ready to give these reserved kitties a chance, fully aware that it might take extra patience and care.
One such example is a couple from Phoenix, whose story we’re about to share!
Carrie Choi and Cody Carlton visited HALO Animal Rescue in Phoenix, hoping to welcome another feline into their already cat-loving home.
While they were busy playing with a kitten named Skittles, a sudden noise from the cage above caught their attention.
It came from a two-year-old cat named Chowder, who, for the first time, seemed intrigued by visitors.
This reaction took the shelter staff by surprise, as Chowder wasn’t known for being approachable. She usually stayed hidden in the back of her cage and never let anyone touch her.
Staff explained that Chowder had originally been surrendered to another shelter, then transferred to HALO because she was labeled ‘too aggressive.’
Her sad, fearful, and mistrustful outlook on life had been reflected in her defensive behavior.
Chowder’s heartbreaking story touched Carrie’s heart. As she shared in an interview:
“It broke my heart to think that she was at the shelter for so long. We figured that Skittles would have NO problem getting adopted easily, but no one would even look twice at Chowder.”
Touched by her story, the couple chose to adopt Chowder and took her home, setting her up in a quiet spare room where she could begin to adjust at her own pace.
During the initial moments, Chowder hesitated to leave the crate she came in, and once she ventured out, she immediately sought refuge, displaying evident fear. Carrie said:
“When I tried to approach her with treats in hand, she started to growl. My husband tried getting close too, but she would try to back up in the corner even more, hiss, growl, and swat if you got too close.”
Understanding that Chowder needed time, Carrie and Cody decided to give her space, letting her move around the house at her own pace while they acted as if she wasn’t even there.
Their approach worked wonders – by the very next morning, Chowder’s behavior had completely transformed.
Soon, Chowder began taking treats right from their hands and even let them pet and hold her.
She quickly showed interest in playing with ribbons and toys and started bonding with her new feline sibling.
In just a few short days, her defensive attitude melted away, and she blossomed into an incredibly affectionate cat.
The hissing and swatting were replaced with sweet meows and steady purrs, and instead of hiding, she now sought out constant cuddles.
Carrie shared her story on Reddit and received an outpouring of kind words and praise. One person wrote:
“People like you are the only chance these babies have. Thank you!”
It’s thanks to people like Carrie and her husband Cody that cats like Chowder get the chance to discover what it feels like to be safe and truly loved in a forever home.
Her journey is a beautiful reminder of how powerful patience and kindness can be, showing that even the most guarded animals can blossom into affectionate, devoted companions when given the chance.
