Chad and Valencia

Chad and Valencia were outdoor cats at our last shelter. Chad showed up at the shelter one day, not neutered and causing lots of trouble (mostly for the neighbors). Valencia was originally left at a local Vet's office and came to the shelter as a teenager. After 6 long months of hating us with a passion, we decided she would be happier in our feral enclosure. They were both supposed to be in our feral cat enclosure, but both were too smart for it and wouldn't stay inside. So they became greeters and would greet people as they walked up the sidewalk and into the shelter. Once they started showing that level of friendliness, we tried to make them to be indoor cats, but each try was met with failure. They liked people enough to occasionally rub against their legs, and be within arm's length, but that was it. 

Then we moved to our current building. We had an elaborate plan to acclimate them to their new surroundings so they wouldn't get lost. We knew they wouldn't stay in the new enclosure either, so wanted to make sure they knew this was their home. We didn't get past stage 1, which was putting them in the lobby, where we planned to keep them at night. During that time, they both decided they were indoor cats. They hang out on the couch in the Director's office, sit in the windows, lounge on the cat trees and *want* to be petted. We are amazed with every head boop from Valencia and every time Chad sits in someone's lap. 

Another change, is they are madly in love with each other. They nap together, groom each other and just genuinely enjoy each other. In fact, they are engaged. There will be a wedding soon. Stay tuned!