A rescued cat’s version of hide-and-seek

Now you see him, and then he’s gone. Trent is a master at hide-and-seek — but with his own special twist. He'll pop up at someone’s feet, and before they know it, he's off to hide again and wait for them to discover where he's tucked himself away.

A glance toward the tallest cat tree reveals the tuxedo cat peering down from above, looking entirely pleased with himself. It's one of Trent's favorite games since his arrival at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

Trent came to the Sanctuary from a shelter in need of a little extra TLC. Best Friends’ goal is for all shelters to reach no-kill, and that means working together with other animal welfare organizations to save pets’ lives, giving each one what they need to move out of the shelter and into a happy new life.

VIDEO: behind the scenes in Cat World at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

When Trent arrived, he was already missing one eye, and to make sure his remaining eye wasn't causing him any discomfort, he visited the Best Friends veterinary clinic for a thorough examination. While the veterinary team determined that Trent could only see shapes and shadows, they also found that his eye was healthy and pain-free. During his visit, Trent also received a dental cleaning and had several painful teeth removed, helping him feel even more comfortable.

You’d never guess that Trent only sees the world in shapes and shadows when he’s doing one of his favorite pastimes: climbing. He can often be found perched high above the room, lounging among the branches of the tallest cat trees as though he owns the place. And like the distinguished gentleman his tuxedo coat makes him look to be, he politely accepts treats while he relaxes on his perch.

Shy cat finds the confidence to climb higher

Trent loves greeting visitors to his domain each day — and not just when they come offering treats. “When I pass by, I’ll call his name. Trent grabs a toy and comes to show it off,” says Best Friends caregiver Riley Prewett. It’s become a ritual for Riley to call out to Trent and Trent to meow in reply before bringing his latest toy.

“He’s kind of a jokester,” caregiver Dax Ott says. “He loves wand toys, and when I’m cleaning the catio, Trent will climb above me and reach down to bat at my hair.”

Dax’s favorite game of Trent’s though is his peekaboo-like version of hide-and-seek. When Dax is focused on something else, Trent will creep around the corner to sneak up on Dax. “He’ll wait until you acknowledge him, and then he’s off,” Dax says.

Faces of No-Kill: Cat heals with hide-and-seek

Trent may look every bit the distinguished gentleman with his tuxedo coat and perfectly placed mustache, but appearances can be deceiving. Behind that polished look is a mischievous cat who loves keeping everyone on their toes. One minute he's winding around someone’s feet, the next he's perched overhead or waiting just around the corner for the perfect moment to surprise them.

For Trent, life is one big game — and he's always having fun. It’s only a matter of time before he brings his fun and games to a home of his own.

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.