Chibi (in foster) Domestic Short Hair Fishers, IN

Chibi
My roots and life skills were forged as a young stray cat. When I was two years old I had never lived with humans until I was found by a family and brought inside to live. I spent one year with them; now I am 3-years-old. There were two children and two cats already living there. Being an orphaned cat, I had never lived indoors and had no idea how to be a pet. I spent most of my time hiding and avoiding running into the two and the four legged creatures. I also had to share two litterboxes with the other cats. It was unbearable. So, in early August, I found myself at the HSHC. The medical staff found I had urinary tract crystals, which are extremely painful. I now eat a diet designed to avoid those ouchy crystals from forming. Even with the change in diet and the loving care I was given at the HSHC, I was still very uncomfortable and had limited social skills. So, I moved into a foster home. My foster family has been very patient with me because I still prefer to hide in my kitty bed or under blankets. But I'm making strides! I have learned that being petted with a back scratcher is very appealing. I am now willing to eat my meals in front of my fosters. I do not display my fear with hissing or swatting. The only signal I give when feeling threatened is to growl. However, I have warmed up to my foster family and will accept being near them. My foster mom says I am doing very well with the litter box; I am a perfectly mannered gentleman in that regard. The HSHC staff feels I would benefit from regular, interactive play sessions with toys that roll, are suspended on a string, or a laser pointer. I will succeed if given a small space of my own containing my bed, food, water, and litterbox. If I feel overwhelmed, I can simply retreat to my private place. I may always be timid, but given enough time, I could become a successful pet cat. 11-26-24