ShadowCat — Update 1
Nov 28–29, 2022
We got Shadow Cat from the shelter on Thursday afternoon.
She had been completely withdrawn and unresponsive at the shelter and in the cat carrier. Once we got home, we placed the carrier (with the door open) in the spare room with a litter box, several beds and tents and some toys, water and food.
She remained tightly crouched at the back of the carrier for the rest of the day. Until that night after the lights went out and we went to bed. Our cat cam revealed her inspecting the whole room, shelves, couch etc. She also had a drink and ate all the food — both soft and kibble.
The next morning she had positioned herself on the lowest shelf of the bookcase we use as a cat window shelf. She remained there for about an hour after we left the morning food. Then came out and polished it off.
When we came to give her the mid morning snack (we feed 5 times daily), we found that she had moved into the cat cube. This has two entrance/exits which she likes apparently — she can watch the door through one, and dash to safety to the back of the couch through the other!
Later, by lying on the floor I was able to get this rather fuzzy first photo, previously used in Caturday from Nov 25.
We had begun to make small advances by day three. She was lying on her side in a more relaxed way; she was allowing and enjoying face and chin rubs; she was coming out of the cube to eat when one of us was still in the room. and finally, during one of our socialization visits, she flung herself down near my feet and rolled about on the floor.
All this went down the tubes on day 4, when we had to get her into the cat carrier and take her to the vet!
Bruce was forced to put on heavy leather gloves in order to pick her up and get her into the cat carrier. She wasn’t growling or hissing, just scrabbling like crazy and clearly scared.
Rather than trying to drag her out of the carrier, the vet tech unscrewed the top and lifted her out like that. Naturally she did not object to the vet tech picking her up!
So, she survived the vet visit and exam, but once back in her room, went into major reclusiveness again. Now it is 2 days since the vet visit, and Shadow Cat is still very skittish with us, and clearly distrustful.
Great!
We have to get her over there again in the next few days for her assorted booster shots. That really will be loads of fun.
