Faces of No-Kill: Cat goes from scared to superstar

Sunlight filters through the netting of a covered pet stroller, where a handsome orange-and-white kitty named Leo Decatmeow is cuddled inside. He’s on his way to his favorite spot: a special outdoor enclosure made just for him, complete with large climbing logs, kitty-sized lounge chairs, and plenty of red sand for rolling around (his favorite activity). Once inside, he eagerly jumps out of the stroller and starts rolling in the sand, chewing on tasty grass stalks, and cuddling in people’s laps making “air biscuits.” But Leo’s life wasn’t always so joyful.

Leo came to Cat World at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary from a nearby shelter after he was found to have feline leukemia virus (FeLV), a virus that is contagious to cats, weakens their immune system, and has no cure. Best Friends supports shelters in reaching no-kill by taking in pets who may need extra care before going to homes — pets like Leo.

“A lot of shelters are unable to house cats who have tested positive for FeLV because they need to be separated from the rest of the cats due to the contagious nature of the disease,” explains Taylor Lems, one of Leo’s caregivers.

Fortunately, Casa de Calmar, one of the buildings at Cat World, is a cozy home-between-homes for cats with FeLV. However, as cozy as Calmar is, settling in wasn’t easy for Leo.

Taylor notes that building trust with Leo took a while. He was cautious and easily overwhelmed by people and other cats, lashing out with swats and growls if anyone got too close. But with time, patience, and a stroller designed just for cats, he learned to associate his caregivers with kindness and gentleness.

“One day he just hopped into one of the strollers we had in the room and claimed it as his own,” laughs Taylor. “So we started taking him on daily stroller rides, and it helped calm him down. Then we were lucky enough to have a group of volunteers build an outdoor enclosure for him, and it made a huge difference in his behavior.”

[Cats with FeLV give new family comforting company]

Daily outings in the stroller coupled with his very own outdoor haven gave Leo the time he needed to decompress and decide that people (and other cats) weren’t so scary after all.

“Leo’s come such a long way,” Taylor shares. “When he trusts you, he’s all love and snuggles. He just needed someone to understand his quirks and offer him the chance to feel secure. Watching him go from wary and skittish to sweet and trusting — it’s such a special thing, and I feel lucky to be a part of that.”

Leo’s journey from timid to trusting has paid off in more ways than one. Now, he enjoys being doted on by caregivers and volunteers alike. Most mornings begin with a stroller ride and a “breakfast-in-bed” setup.

“We’ll make him a special breakfast and put it in the stroller,” laughs Taylor. “Then we wheel him into his enclosure, so he can have breakfast in his happy place. He’ll stay out there for hours, rolling in the dirt and cuddling on volunteers’ laps.”

[Scaredy cat goes from hisses to kisses]

Now he shines as one of Calmar's beloved, slightly spoiled stars. And really, what more could a handsome fellow like Leo want until he’s matched with a home of his own? A little sun, a little sand, and, of course, breakfast in bed — just the way he likes it.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. 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.