A kitten was drawn to cats in a warm home and hoped to escape the cold but was too shy. The homeowner knew just the way to help him.
CelineCrom
It was a freezing night before the snow fell. Celine Crom went to the kitchen for a snack when she noticed her cats lined up by the balcony window.
They pressed their noses against the glass, their eyes captivated by something outside. Celine looked and saw a gray kitten on the other side of the window, interacting with the cats.
"I offered some pate, but he ran away when he saw me. I left the food out, and he returned and finished it all," Celine shared.
A stray kitten was drawn to cats in a warm homeCelineCrom
After the hearty supper, the young cat lingered on the balcony, watching the feline residents through the window.
"While the cats in the house were warm and safe, the gray kitten curled up in the cold alone. If I tried to open the door, he would run away. After staying for another 15 minutes, he left in the cold."
He came back and hoped to escape the coldCelineCrom
No one came to claim the cat, while the temperatures continued to drop. Celine borrowed a humane trap from her animal rescue, Chatons Orphelins Montreal, and left some food on the balcony, wondering if she would see him again.
"In the morning, when I got up, I went to the window and was surprised to see the kitten. He was sniffing the food from the night before but fled as soon as he saw me."
CelineCrom
Celine sprang into action, set the humane trap on the balcony, and was determined to bring the cat to safety. "That evening was so cold. I didn't have to wait long. Within two hours, I heard the trap door shut. The kitten was inside."
He was about eight months old and so terrified that he resisted treats at first. Once the creamy snack got on his nose, he waited until his rescuer left the room to eat it.
He wouldn't eat the treat until his rescuer left the roomCelineCrom
After braving the cold for some time, he had his first night in a warm home. "The best was yet to come even though at the time he didn't know."
The kitten, named Loustik, was too scared to budge during his first vet visit and just stayed in his carrier. After getting vetted and neutered, he went to his foster home to begin the process of socialization.
He tried to hide in a sinkCelineCrom
He immediately took refuge in a sink and ducked his head at the sight of people.
"He had such a sad look on his face. He needed a quiet space, lots of treats, and reassurance to help him learn to trust."
Slowly but surely, he started to come out of his shellCelineCrom
His foster mom sat in the room and gave him all the time he needed to feel comfortable around her. She patiently waited for him to approach her at his own pace.
"Even when he was scared, he was gentle and didn't have a mean bone in his body."
CelineCrom
Slowly but surely, Loustik relaxed and started to let his guard down. He curiously walked up to his foster mom, sniffed her hand, and inspected her scent.
When she offered a treat on her finger, he went in and gingerly licked it off.
CelineCrom
Then, out of sheer delight, he plopped down on the floor, revealing his fluffy belly, a symbol of his trust. "Patience is starting to pay off. He's quietly learning to trust humans."
Loustik still gets startled by loud noises and sudden movements, but he's becoming increasingly trusting each day.
CelineCrom
He will never have to worry about food and shelter as he spends his first winter in comfort and warmth. With a loving home, his beautiful personality is starting to shine.
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