We have an #adoptionupdate from Emma, who adopted Strawberry last January. Strawberry actually first came into our care as a newborn kitten when her mother birthed her and her siblings in her foster home! Strawberry was adopted once before, but returned to us two years later because of anxiety she exhibited in her home.
When she came back, Strawberry was stressed in the shelter and acted out at the staff trying to handle her. We soon discovered that she had developed crystals in her urine and had Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC). She was sent to an experienced foster volunteer’s home to begin working on overcoming both her health and her behavioral concerns. Progress was slow, but steady. Eventually, Strawberry began showing that she could become comfortable when given time and patience. She even started soliciting attention, mewing for butt scratches.
After a few months, Strawberry and Emma found each other. Emma wasn’t looking for a specific cat at the time; she just wanted someone to add to her family.
Emma says: “Strawberry has adjusted wonderfully since coming home. She was very skittish of everything at first and wasn’t too fond of being around people. But after a bit she warmed up and she is incredibly sweet, very vocal and loves to snuggle and sit in windows.
“She absolutely loves to sleep in a little tent we got her, and she doesn’t really know how to play with toys or scratch at the scratching post all too much, but she looks like she has a blast when she does attempt. I feel like she’s a whole new cat.”
Strawberry is a great example of a cat who needs to find the right environment and the right support for her to thrive. So many cats who experience similar issues often just need a calm space in which to build trust, and the compassion and love of a person willing to give them time. We’re so happy to see Strawberry being her best self in her new home!
Have you adopted from CCS in the past? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Send us your adoption success stories (and photos!) to be featured in our #adoptionupdate series on social media or on our website.
