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I received another message asking whether I could take in a cat. I had recently stopped fostering so I could focus my attention on my own animals, but I hesitantly said yes because I knew the situation was dire.

Photo: Andrea

Bella had been adopted, but less than a month later, her owner relapsed on drugs and abandoned her inside the apartment. By the time I received the message, rescuers had finally gotten permission to enter the apartment and bring her to safety.

Bella was a very shy cat, but they managed to catch her and bring her to me. When she arrived, I fully intended to return her to the rescue organization she had been adopted from. However, in less than a day, Bella stole my heart.

At first, she hid beneath the bed. Yet whenever I placed my hand near her, she willingly accepted pets. By the end of the day, I could walk into the room and say, “Bella, Bella, Bella!” and she would scurry toward my hand for attention.

Her world became even bigger when I installed shelves that allowed her to move safely around the room without feeling afraid. She now loves looking out the windows and serving as the resident watch-cat.

I cannot sleep with my hands outside the covers without feeling Bella nudge them for affection. She is often found sleeping in the dog’s bed and has even learned to tolerate the dog who owns it.

Bella snuggles with me every night. She no longer resembles the scared, shy cat who first appeared at my door.

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Story submitted by Andrea from St Paul, MN.

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!