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Nik looked for his new home for a long time.
Many people don't understand what an animal's journey through the system entails. Although every pet's tale is different--some are adopted immediately, other languish, while some need the love of a foster--they are tales of triumph and second chances.
Nikolai the cat came to the Washington Humane Society in late October with inches of matted fur and too much weight. His previous owner had surrendered him to humane law enforcement officers after being unable to properly care for him for years. Short hair cats rarely get matted when petted regularly or kept at a weight where they can groom themselves. Nik was so overweight he couldn’t groom his back. Without regular petting or bruhing, his fur clumped and matted, causing sores, distress, and pulling on his skin.
The first task when he came to the shelter was to shave off the matts. A medical exam revealed that he was healthy, just overweight. He was sweet and cuddly, if a little shy. His personality normally would have ensured a quick adoption. However, his six years of age and shaved spots made him unlikely to be adopted quickly.
The more time Nikolai spent at the shelter, the lower his chances seemed. His fur was growing back but he began to act depressed and withdrawn—not the characteristics adopters want. Sadly, this is common. Often when an animal stays too long at a in the noise and chaotic environment at a shelter his behavior will begin to deteriorate due to distress, frustration, and depression.
After four months in the shelter, Nikolai moved into foster care where he lived with another cat. Nikolai learned to get along with the other cat and “sit” on command. He was sweet at home, but hid at adoption events and meowed pitifully when put in his carrier to meet potential adopters.
Finally, Nik met his match. At an event he jumped from one woman’s arms to the floor where he cuddled with a lady who had met him earlier in the night. Six months after his pitiable entrance to the system, Nikolai had his happy ending and forever home. Staff, volunteers, fosters, and the openness of his applicant combined to help this cat beat his odds
Comments
Yeah Nik! Thank you to his adopter and to everyone who made it possible for Nik to find his forever home. I don't think everyone realizes that cats can and do get depressed. It breaks my heart when a normally happy cat gets sad when they are passed over by potential adopters.
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