Meet four shy cats looking for special adopters. 

These cats have wonderful qualities, but their shy natures don’t allow them to shine in a group environmnet. This has been holding them back from finding their forever homes. Luckily for them, we have an incredible network of volunteers who have opened their homes to these diamonds in the rough. Meet Cashew, Ella, Candie, Robert, and Leonardo.

Cashew was brought to the shelter by a good Samaritan who took him in as a stray. She tried to find his owner, but no one came forward to reclaim him. She would have loved to keep him, but her other cat was less than welcoming. At the adoption center, Cashew shut down around the other cats and became defensive, even with the people who cared for him every day. He was so afraid, he couldn’t let down his guard. Try as we might, we could not get him to trust us. It was sad to see him like this, knowing his potential, so we sent him to sty with a volunteer. This is what Andrea, his foster mom, has to say about him: "Cashew is an easy house guest.  He finds a quiet room and sleeps on a bed or perched on a pillow or folded blanket.  He is social on his terms. We still haven't picked him up; he hops away if we try.  He sleeps with my daughters and will watch tv with us.  He is excellent with the litter box. I believe he needs to be the only animal in the house."

Ella came to us from a house with multiple cats. Because there were so many cats in the home, Ella did not receive the socialization she needed to be a happy, well-adjusted cat and she, too, needed a quiet place to decompress. Nancy, Ella's foster mom, has the following to say: "Success with Ella comes in bite-sized increments. For the first two or three days, I would just "hang out" in her room, and she hid behind the couch. I didn't bother her, and she got to discover that I'm going to keep coming back. Then, she jumps up on the couch with me, and she took a couple of days to learn it's ok when I pick my hand up to pet her. A couple of days after that, she purred for the first time. Shy cats reveal themselves a little bit at a time. You never know when you're going to learn something new (she likes sparkle balls! She loves watching the birds! She's chatty!). You fall in love a little at a time. Plus, I feel unique because this scared animal has learned to trust me; I get to experience the full breadth of her personality, and most folks will never know or see that."

Candie came to us from another rescue group. She was very sweet but scared of everything at the adoption center. She would hide in her cage and shy away from handling. She has blossomed at her foster home. From her foster mom, Shannon: "Candie takes social distancing very seriously. Once you've passed her quarantine period, though, watch out! Candie is a love machine. She loves to be petted everywhere; belly-rubs are her absolute favorite. 

“Candie is very playful also. You would never guess that she is eight years old. Her favorite game is undercover mouse. She can chase that wand for at least 30 minutes.  She is also very technologically savvy for an "older" lady. She loves playing cat games on my iPad. 

 “I have separately adopted both an older cat and a timid cat, and both were wonderful decisions. Once a shy cat realizes you are their family, there is a special bond between you. Candie now sleeps with her foster "sister" and sits on her lap while she is e-learning. Something we couldn't imaging those first few days when she lived under the bed. It takes a little extra time, but it is worth it. 

“Adopting an older cat is great because they are who they are. All that silly kitten stuff is out of the way.  Plus, cats have such a long life. Adopting an older cat is like meeting your best friend in college instead of kindergarten. You wouldn't want to miss out on that!"

 Robert and Leonardo, a bonded pair, were adopted out as kittens and returned to us six years later because their owner could no longer take care of them. Robert and Leoonardo had some health issues that needed to be taken care of before sending them to a foster home. Here is what their foster mom, Christine, has to say about the two: "The cats have been doing well. They are now Yin (the white kitty) and Yang (the tuxedo cat). They are pretty much inseparable. They do love to sleep on their bed, which is on the bed used by me when I read. They are loving belly rubs and chin scratches. I have yet to have them on my lap, but they are willing to sit and sleep right next to me! And they chase each other like kittens. And Yin and Yang are starting to enjoy the company of my cats. And both have very healthy purr motors!"

We are so grateful for our wonderful volunteer foster families and the people who chose to adopt a pet from the West Suburban Humane Society. We are especially thankful for those who adopt animals that have been here for some time or have special adoption requirements. If you had met Cashew, Ella, Candie, Robert or Leo at the adoption center, you would never believe the transformation each has made simply by moving into a home. Won't you take that leap of faith and consider opening your heart to allow a shy cat to blossom under your care? It’s a special feeling to know that you are the one that helped a cat that couldn’t ask for it, resulting in a lifetime of learning and loving for both you and your new family member.