Madeline Patricia is a sweet shy spayed 10 year old female cat, looking for a quiet home. Here’s what her foster volunteers say about her:
How would you describe the cat's general personality?
Madeline Patricia is a very shy and timid cat who enjoys solitude and likes to keep herself entertained. She was surrendered by her previous owner after a series of changes, a move, a growing household, and a resident male cat who became territorial toward her, left her feeling overwhelmed and unsafe. Her former owner described her as playful with toys, cuddly with "her person," and easygoing with the household's younger female cat when she felt secure. In foster care she has been almost entirely in hiding, but everything we know about her points to a sweet, affectionate cat who just needs calm and consistency to feel safe enough to show it.
Does the cat enjoy being pet? If yes, on what parts of its body does the cat like to be pet?
Madeline is extremely timid and has been in hiding in foster care, so her foster parents have not yet been able to give her pets themselves. However, her former owner shared that Madeline loves belly and ear rubs once she feels safe and comfortable with someone. We're hopeful that with a patient adopter, she'll come to enjoy that same affection again.
Are there any parts of its body that the cat does NOT like being touched?
We are not sure yet, as we haven't had hands-on contact with her in foster care. Her former owner did not report any particular sensitivity, only that fast movement or loud noise, rather than touch itself, was what tended to startle her.
Does the cat sleep in your bed?
She will not sleep in your bed, but she will sleep under your bed. You might even be able to hear her soft snores at night.
Does the cat seek your attention?
Not yet in foster care; Madeline tends to stay hidden and keep to herself rather than seek out interaction. Her former owner noted that when she felt safe, she would actively seek out closeness with her person, so this side of her may simply be waiting for the right quiet setting to resurface.
Does the cat like to play?
If mice toys are left out and under the bed, she will play around with them by herself. Her former owner also described her as playful with toys when comfortable, which lines up with what we've seen in foster care.
What are the cat's favorite games and toys?
Her favorite toys are her mice toys.
How vocal is the cat?
Madeline will occasionally meow, especially in the evening. Her former owner also described her as a chatty cat once relaxed, so she may become more vocal as she settles in with an adopter.
What kinds of sounds does the cat make?
She makes short meows and thumping noises when she plays with her toys under the bed.
Does the cat scratch a scratcher? If no, please explain.
We have not observed her using the scratcher, likely because she has spent most of her time in foster care hiding rather than exploring the space.
Does the cat always use the litter box? If no, please explain.
Yes, Madeline always and regularly uses her litter box in foster care. She current has 2 litter boxes set up so that she can feel more in control. She likes to use both every day.
What food and frequency is the cat currently eating?
She gets about 1/2 cup of dry food (Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Adult Indoor Cat) in the morning and one wet food can (Meow Mix Seafood Favorites) at night. She also gets a few hard treats in the morning and at night. She currently has multiple food and water stations set up around the apartment so that she has the freedom to choose from multiple sources; she does enjoy this and eats her dry and wet food from two separate areas and drinks water from another area.
Is the cat picky about food?
Madeline is very food motivated and is not picky about food.
What is the cat's favorite treat?
Her current favorite treat is Temptations Treats.
What medication is the cat on, and how is it administered?
Madeline is not on any medication.
Does the cat ever swat (claws in) at you? If so, under what circumstances?
No, Madeline has never swat at us.
Has the cat ever scratched (claws out) you?
No, she has never scratched us.
Does the cat ever nip (teeth without breaking skin) you?
No, she does not nip.
Has the cat ever bitten you (breaking skin)?
No, she has never bitten us.
To the best of your knowledge, how does the cat react to new people? Social? Fearful?
Madeline is very shy and fearful with new people. Her former owner shared that she felt safest with one consistent, gentle caregiver, but would run and hide from strangers, loud voices, or sudden movement, a pattern that has continued in foster care.
If you have observed the cat with other animals, please describe how they get on?
We have not observed her with other animals in foster care. Her former owner shared that she got along well and would even sleep and play with their younger female cat, but had a more strained relationship with their older male cat, who would assert dominance over her, causing her to cower and run. Given this history, we believe Madeline would do best as an only cat, or with a calm, easygoing companion, and would benefit from a slow, careful introduction if a household pet is present.
Does the cat have any cute/quirky traits that aren't covered by the previous questions?
Madeline Patricia is polydactyl on all her paws! She has 24 toe beans total!!
In your opinion, what is the best thing about the cat? Why should an adopter choose THIS cat to adopt?
Madeline is best suited for someone who wants a quiet, low-maintenance companion rather than an interactive one. She'd thrive with an adopter who is out of the house often, lives in a calm household with few people, and doesn't need daily engagement to feel bonded to their pet. Her former owner's experience shows that once she feels truly safe, she becomes a sweet, chatty, affectionate cat who loves belly and ear rubs and enjoys cuddling with her person. If you can find joy in small moments, like hearing her snore under the bed or catching a glimpse of her at night, rather than needing an instantly cuddly cat, Madeline could be a deeply rewarding companion for the patient right person.
What are the cat's challenges and how have you found to best manage them?
Madeline's biggest challenge is that she has remained in hiding for essentially the entire time she has been in foster care. We've tried to manage this by creating multiple hiding spots around the apartment with blankets and furniture, keeping the household quiet, and regularly leaving the apartment so she has uninterrupted alone time. We've avoided forcing any interaction and let her come out entirely on her own terms, while using scheduled feeding and treat times for positive reinforcement. Patience and space have been the only things that seem to help so far, and she'll need an adopter willing to continue that same slow, low-pressure approach, ideally in a quiet household.
