‘I want to give her more of a chance’: After adoption, a shy shelter sweetheart hides making the family consider returning her, but one purrsistent hooman isn’t giving up

Adopted four weeks ago, this one-year-old purrincess is still stuck in her shell and not in a cute, bread-loaf kinda way. While her 5-month-old sibling immediately turned into a cuddle muffin with the whole fam, this older kitty has taken flight over fight to new levels. She’ll approach purring and even curl up in laps, but if a hooman dares to stand? ZOOM. Instant teleport to hidey-hole 9000.

No hisstory of trauma, according to the sanctuary, just a lifetime spent behind kennel bars, literally. She loves her new feline roommates and they return the affection with mutual grooming, zoomies, and snuggles. One of the resident cats even plays purrofessional therapist. But when it comes to hoomans? Nope. Nada. Big nope.

After sharing her story, the cat community came through with tons of support, advice, and whisker wisdom. Encouraged by all the love, the hooman decided not to give up. Instead, she’s working on helping this timid tabby feel safe and it’s already paying off. The kitty has started cautiously exploring the house more and showing little signs of confidence.

Sometimes all it takes is a little pawsitive reinforcement. One small step for cat, one giant leap for floofkind.