Watermelon

Meet Watermelon

Spayed Female
Age: 10 Years
Black and White
Domestic Long Hair
A441072

More about Watermelon:

I was an outdoor cat who transitioned to indoor/outdoor life, and most recently I have been living indoors. Overall I appear to be a pretty sensitive lady, looking for a quiet, low-traffic home without much transition. Expectations should be kept low that I will be outgoing and snuggly. I would appreciate a safe option for spending time outdoors, but this is not required with a cat-savvy adopter who can provide appropriate enrichment.

I am easily stressed and overwhelmed during transitions, so I am looking for an adopter who is willing to give me as much time as I need to settle in … this could be a couple of days or a couple of weeks. My ultimate success will be dependent upon how well my adopter is able to read and understand my body language.

I should start in my own space … an extra bedroom or bathroom … where people and animals do not have access except to feed and clean. I should initially be left alone as I adjust. My space should include plenty of hiding spaces, ideally with access to vertical surfaces such as a cat tree or cat-proofed shelf, with easy access to a litter box, food, and water.

I should not be approached for pets or to be picked up when I am hiding or showing fearful body language. Ideally, with enough time to myself to decompress and become comfortable in my new surroundings, I will begin to relax and move around more freely while my adopter is in the room with me. Only once I am confidently moving about my closed environment and I remain confident with relaxed body language when my adopter is in the room with me should I be given gradual access to more of the home.

Meeting new people can be very overwhelming for me. It is possible I may only ever be comfortable with those in my small bubble. My adopter should be comfortable with a cat who may not ever want to expand their social circle. I should be given the option to stay in a different space when visitors come over.

I should be thought of as a `pet themselves on you` kind of cat until I am comfortable, meaning I should always be allowed to initiate an interaction versus reaching out to pet me. Use `pet consent tests`.

My adopter should have a relationship with a fear-free vet who can help my adopter come up with a handling plan that will reduce stress for everyone and keep everyone safe.

The shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon – 4:30pm, with no appointment needed to meet available cats.