Roxanne

Roxanne hiding at Kitty Cottage, before she went home.

Roxanne's mom wrote in May 2004:

I first met Roxanne in your shelter on Saturday, April 3rd. She had been saved a few days earlier from a shelter in Philly. Roxanne was hiding behind your upstairs refrigerator, very scared, and resorted to hissing at me and the volunteers when they brought her out from behind the refrigerator so I could get a better look at her.

I sat and talked with her for over an hour, and she finally did relax enough that I was able to rub her chin and brush her a bit. Then she decided to return to her "safe spot" behind the fridge.

The next day I returned to again find her behind the fridge hiding and hissing. Again, after an hour or so of sitting on the floor and talking to her and slowly trying to touch and pet her I was able to brush her, give her a chin rub, and a head rub. She rewarded me by PURRING to show her approval.

That's all I needed. The paper work was submitted and I was approved to adopt her that Wednesday. I returned on Friday the 9th to pick her up and take her to her "forever home".

What was a shy, scared cat at the shelter was a joy once she realized she was home. She did hide a bit from my other cats, but she was happy to let me pet her and to brush her. After a few days, she took to hopping in bed with me and she sleeps with me every night. She is such a love bug, and I'm so happy I spent time with her at the shelter and gave her a chance to overcome being scared and shy.

She sits in my bedroom window as a "watch-cat" during the day, and when I come home at night she is right there to greet me. She's just an absolute joy, and she is bringing my other two cats, who were also rescues, out of their shells,as well. Thank you so much for rescuing my beautiful Roxanne from the shelter in Philly!!!!

Also, KUDOS on the fantastic cat allergy information on your web site. I have had allergies my entire life, and one of the things I test the most allergic to are cats. All of these steps have been recommended by my various doctors over the years.