Shayla

My story

Shayla is a beautiful tortoiseshell kitten who needs an understanding family, which must include a friendly playful cat and/or a laidback gentle dog. She is making remarkable progress over the last 2.5 months in becoming an indoor kitty. Shayla came to HSNCF from a rural animal shelter after living outdoors. When I brought Shayla home for socialization, she was a very frightened kitten who hissed but did not bite or strike out. With ears flattened down, Shayla looks like she has plane wings. lol. She does not like loud noises like dump trucks, music, weird sounds, the vacuum, etc. I am not sure how she will do with small children or a noisy home. Maybe an older gentle child. She does enjoy laying in the sun by the patio screen door watching the birds and lizards, dry kibble with a little wet pate, soft voices and gentle touches. When I am holding Shayla, I give her slow winks as I am petting her. She has returned the slow winks back this week. I also allow her to determine how long she will sit in my lap. Over the last week or so, Shayla has opened up in allowing pets along her back and shoulders plus a little on the top of her head, trimming toenails with fingernail clippers, stretching out while being held after some time in my arms, gentle massages are delightful too, and she has a soft rumbling purr after becoming comfortable. No tummy rubs yet! Shayla may flatten her ears down and hiss a bit initially but it is more due to her being afraid then being aggressive. At my home, Shayla has a large dog crate sitting on top of two totes as her safe place. In the crate, is a litter box, toys, water, food, and very important a box for her to lay in. She does not care much for soft bedding in her box at the moment. Bedding usually ends up in the litterbox for some reason. This is where Shayla goes when she feels overwhelmed or is ready for bed. Sometimes I find her under the couch or a chair. Shayla is also learning about kitty toys, she seems to like toy mice, paper straws, etc. For now, she prefers to play by herself or with another cat. But once she is settled in a loving home, I believe Shayla will learn to play with people. She does not appear to mind dogs as long as they are well behaved and dont smell her bottom too much. Shayla enjoys being around my two cats, Jaiet and Jack, esp Jack as she follows him around the house learning important kitty things like sunning on a window sill, dropping toys in her water dish, hiding under chairs then zooming out to tag Jack and so on. Please make sure to go slow with Shayla when introducing her to your pets. With Shayla, please remember the rule of 3: three days to decompress, three weeks to learn your routine and three months to start to feel at home. It may be best to give Shayla a small space like a bathroom for her to interact with you for the first three weeks perhaps longer. Squatting down at her level with slow blinks from you is best. Shayla may regress in your home at first but with patience, affection, and understanding she will come around. Must haves for Shayla: a friendly playful cat or lowkey gentle dog cause she need a furry friend who will help continue her journey as an indoor kitty;; happy caring patient hooman(s) who will allow her time to adjust to their world; she will meow at first but settles down in a crate for car rides; loves toys like paper straws, toilet paper tubes, tennis balls, mice like toys, and a 3 tier cat tower with balls; two clean litterboxes are important; a little bit of catnip is great; lots of love and affection. And more affection….

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Shayla, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.