From “Lost Cause” to Beloved Cat
Every now and then we rescue a cat who prefers the lofty feel of our warehouse at Palmetto Animal League to the homelike comforts of our cat rooms. Some are just more reserved and independent-minded by nature, while others have their own reasons for avoiding human touch. No matter why they choose to shy away, we see these cats as part of the PAL family, and our staff and volunteers work diligently to earn their trust and, if we’re lucky, eventually their love.
Meet Montana
Montana came to PAL in November 2020 when her owner could no longer care for her. We rarely saw her because she hid in the shelves of our warehouse. We considered it a great day when we could lay eyes on her and celebrated on the few occasions when she allowed us to touch her.
“Those times when we reached out to her, slowly, quietly, and gently, Montana gratefully accepted affection and leaned into our pets,” reflects PAL volunteer Lori Higgins.
While some may have written her off as a “lost cause,” we never gave up on Montana. After many hours of observing her from afar and working to bring her closer, she finally started to trust us. Eventually, we moved her to a cat room to see if she would also warm up to other cats, and slowly but surely, she blossomed!
After cozying up inside our Adoption Center, Montana waited patiently for her perfect person, and just over a year after coming to PAL, her fondest wish was granted.
“She just recently started coming downstairs when I arrive home, so I know she is waiting for me,” says Montana’s adopter Amber Schroeder. “She makes me feel very good and is helping ease my stress. With time, I hope she will become more and more comfortable in her new life as a beloved house cat.”
Meet Scorch
Scorch came to PAL as a kitten, sweet, but very shy and not-so-sure about living with other feline friends in our homelike cat rooms. He would seek safety on a high shelf, where he felt safe. Scorch would shrink away from us when we extended our hands to pet him. Cats like Scorch require understanding and a patient approach, so after 6 months of hiding up high in one of our cat rooms, we moved him to our vast, indoor warehouse where he’d find all the solitude and space he needed.
“Eventually he started coming down to “assist” with the laundry,” says PAL volunteer Lori Higgins. “It took Scorch another full year to allow me to touch him, and when he was ready, he grew to love being petted by his trusted people.”
Lori helped Scorch through the socialization process for the next 5 years, and her persistence paid off. After spending an astounding 2,078 days at PAL, Lori adopted Scorch and gave him his very first real home.
“Because we had been “going steady” for so long, Scorch knew and trusted me,” says Lori. “It has been wonderful to experience all the “firsts” with him: watching the outside world through a warm window seat, running after a laser with joy, sleeping on a soft bed, and snuggling beside me while purring contently.”
With a lot of love, understanding, and time, Scorch went from a skittish cat who didn’t want to be touched to a magnificent, healthy, confident boy who delights in having his belly rubbed.
At PAL, we view every animal as a precious gift to the world. Just like people, each pet has a past with memories and often invisible scars that require lots of love and trust for healing to take place. PAL will always be a safe, caring place of refuge for animals that others may view as a “lost cause.” Because PAL promises to never give up on an animal, Montana, Scorch, and so many others are alive today, basking in the glory of what it truly means to be a beloved cat.
With no government funding, PAL’s No Kill Adoption Center relies on the compassionate support of caring people like you. To help Palmetto Animal League rescue more pets, make an impact today with a heartfelt donation.