Happy Tails

The Long Trip Home

Spooky and Kiki:

Well over two years ago, a brother and sister duo came to our shelter.  They were named Kit and Katniss.   They had been running at large, fending for themselves.  They were frightened of the shelter, humans, and the other cats.  They did not want any handling – they hissed and scratched at any attempt.  

To avoid contact, they would hide under blankets or beds, especially when people would come to meet and choose a cat.  They knew the exact part of the pen to sit in to make themselves hardest to reach.  It was almost impossible to make contact with them or let them react to our scents.  With each month that passed, they became harder to adopt.    

Feeling sorry for her, a family reached out and adopted Katniss; but her fears and timid demeanor made her the target of the family’s older, alpha cat and she was bullied.  She came back to the shelter still frightened and confused. 

A local family adopted Kit, who is now known as Spooky.  Spooky was slowly introduced to his new family, to his humans and his brother and sister.  He found a friend in his brother and became a treasured member of the family. 

Katniss had a second adoption attempt, with similar results as the first time.  Again, returned crushed and fearful.  But her life was about to change!

Spooky’s family took Katniss home, and she became Kiki.  They assimilated her very slowly, building on the human trust she would need to go forward, before meeting her siblings.  Mom would sit with her in her enclosure and bond, and gradually she moved from a large cage to her own room to interacting with her siblings Loki and Lottie and her brother Spooky.  The process was slow, gentle, and relaxed, and took many weeks, but with patience and love, Kiki and Spooky were finally reunited.  Now they are both in an adoring family and living the life they deserve.  Love heals.