Sometimes animals really live up to their names, but in Trouble’s case, it wasn’t her personality that was the problem! Trouble was surrendered to Nevada Humane Society (NHS) in April of 2020 — right before animal adoption numbers began soaring due to the pandemic, but Trouble was overlooked time and time again.
Her medical issues were against her: though not an old cat, she had hypothyroidism and irritable bowel syndrome. These two problems led to Trouble being a skinny, stinky cat with some very picky food preferences! From the moment Trouble arrived at the Carson City Shelter, she was a team favorite. The colony room she was staying in became a popular lunch break and relaxation spot; anybody going past would usually see someone settled into the comfy wing chair with a judgmental silver tabby cat nearby. Visitors to the room would have to be careful not to move once seated, as Trouble preferred perching on a single knee to curling safely in a lap.
We tried for a few months to get her digestive problems under control, even going so far as to try freeze-dried food and natural oils. Even with an entire room to herself we knew Trouble was not happy in the shelter, though she loved to sit on humans at every opportunity and never failed to greet visitors.
Finally we thought we had struck gold, and Trouble was adopted. Unfortunately it wasn’t the right fit, and Trouble was soon back in her private suite. We had our fingers crossed again in September when she went to a fantastic foster home that was managing to get her illnesses under control with a much lower stress environment. This foster was only short term, and in January Trouble was gracing our shelter yet again! This time around, we were so hopeful, as she had put on some weight and seemed like she had been flourishing in her own space with all the love her foster parents could offer. After some additional evaluation and treatment, a marketing campaign, and many phone calls, Trouble found herself heading to a foster home once again. This time, however, was different. This time it would be forever.
Trouble’s new dad had fallen head over heels in love with her slightly squished face, her loud squawking meow, her disdain for all things treat-related, and her beautifully striped fur that always seemed to look slightly rumpled no matter how often she was brushed. After almost an entire year in and out of the shelter, Trouble was in a home of her own, loved and safe.
And what a home it is! Now the queen of all she surveys, Trouble has gone from perching on knees to perching on cat trees and judging from her rightful place as ruler of the home with no other furry siblings to compete with for the title. We couldn’t have asked for a better outcome for this sweet, slightly smelly lady who captured all our hearts so quickly.
Stories like these are what keep NHS doing what they do. Although I have now moved on to help bolster my knowledge and skills for neonatal care, I will carry my time at NHS with me when learning about newborn pets coming into shelter environments. Even a cat that seemed like she’d be in a shelter the rest of her life found a family that saw past her issues and into her incredibly loving personality. We couldn’t give this chance to those most desperately in need of our help without the support of our community; this holiday season, please consider the other animals that don’t yet have a home and a family. Every pet deserves to be loved, and your help can make a difference!
By: Leora Henry, Former Foster Coordinator