Love leads the way for 2 shy cats

With the pop of a baby food jar, two cats come soaring through the catio at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Though their paws patter without a sound against the ground, the same cannot be said for the two cats themselves. Vesuvius’ excited yowl can't be missed. Not to be outdone, Max’s smaller meow follows just after her friend and mentor. Max is never far from Vesuvius, acting as his shadow but certainly not hidden in it.

When he came to Best Friends from a shelter, Vesuvius was unsure of people. Shyness can make it difficult for cats like Vesuvius to stand out to potential adopters. That’s why one of the ways Best Friends supports shelters in reaching no-kill is by taking in pets who may need extra time and care before going to homes. Vesuvius was safe at the Sanctuary, but that was only the first step.

Preferring the company of other cats, Vesuvius took to a high perch in Cat World — the home-between-homes for hundreds of cats (on any given day) at the Sanctuary — and peered down at the world below him. Not quite aloof, Vesuvius just needed time to trust the people around him.

To help gain his trust, Best Friends caregiver Riley Prewett began offering Vesuvius baby food — a favorite treat for many cats — on a spoon. Ever so slowly, Vesuvius decided that really, really good food was worth taking a step down from his perch. Before long, the moment he heard a jar opening, he’d announce himself at full volume and come running, eager to inspect what was inside.

Not long after Vesuvius came to the Sanctuary, Max arrived from a shelter. By this time, Vesuvius had gained confidence and come to enjoy affection from people — which made him an important role model for Max.

Not quite as shy as Vesuvius was when he came to the Sanctuary, Max still preferred to find hidey-holes from which to observe her new surroundings. Meanwhile, Riley says, Vesuvius had become “the boss” of the room Max had moved into.

[Shy cat gains confidence with a little help from a feline friend]

Max, only half the size of Vesuvius, peeked out of her quiet haven to test a friendship with the confident cat. “She came out of hiding, and she snuggled right up to him,” Riley says.

Vesuvius befriended her without a moment’s hesitation. He taught Max the ropes of Cat World, especially his signature howl for baby food. It was a turning point for Max to come out of her shell. Vesuvius showed her the warmest spots to sun herself, how to wiggle her way in when their favorite wet food is served, and how great chin scratches from people can be.

When Riley opens a jar of baby food now, two cats come running. Vesuvius rises up on his back legs to peer inside, and Max presses close at his side, sharing the moment.

[Shy cat’s leap of faith leads to love]

For Max, love looks like borrowed bravery and a safe place to land. And for Vesuvius, it looks like making room for someone smaller to stand beside him. Their love story isn’t written in grand gestures or shared spaghetti dinners but in something just as sweet: a little extra love and care from the people in their lives and the joy of making a new friend.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.