Kind human adopts feline who was a long time shelter resident, feels discouraged by cat's hesitance to trust: 'He's the most easily startled cat I've ever seen'

Hey friends, those of us who have adopted cats before know that it takes time for them to trust us and engage. When you bring home a new cat, don't be surprised if they run under a couch or bed and stay hidden for days—only emerging to eat or use the litter box. Adjusting to a new space and new people is a huge shift for cats. And when that cat has experienced trauma from being a long-time resident at a shelter? You can go ahead and multiply that adjustment time by ten.

Today's featured story centers around the original poster (OP), who recently adopted a cat that had lived at their local shelter for over seven years. The poor baby had never found a forever home—until now. A kind human (OP) finally took a chance and brought them home. But instead of warming up right away, the cat ran off and buried itself in a storage closet, avoiding all contact.

For new cat parents, this can feel disheartening, but it's a necessary part of the transition. It takes time for cats to feel safe enough to explore their surroundings and trust new humans. Our advice to OP: Be patient, be kind, and love that kitty hard. We have a feeling everything will work out just fine.