A kitten started to trust with the help of another cat after months of being outside and weeks of hiding.
Nadia, an animal rescuer, was helping community cats in her area when she came across a beautiful kitten who was timid and lost.
The kitten was rescued through a TNR program and taken to a veterinary clinic. He was terrified, huddling in a corner with wary eyes and flattened ears.
Determined to give him a better life, Nadia offered to help the kitten and other young cats pulled from the streets.
The kitten had likely been abandoned for a while, as no one came to claim him. Nadia contacted her local animal rescue, Chatons Orphelins Montreal, and they didn’t hesitate to help.
Estimated to be five months old, Bekam, the kitten, kept to himself and backed away from people if they came close. “He was very fearful and withdrawn. He didn’t know that he no longer had to fend for himself to survive,” Chatons Orphelins Montreal shared.
His foster mom set him up in a quiet room in her home so he could relax and decompress. Bekam took refuge under a pile of blankets or inside a cubby bed, only with his head peeking out every so often.
In the beginning, Bekam would growl whenever his caretaker approached him, but soon, he became intrigued by the sound of toys and the smell of treats and slowly inched out from hiding to investigate.
His foster mom tried to connect with him by feeding him with a spatula. She continued the same routine until he felt comfortable with her petting him. He began to let his guard down when he started taking treats from her hand.
“His foster mom was gentle and patient, using positive reinforcement every day to gain his trust. Eventually, his fear gave way to curiosity, and he came out of his shell over several weeks.”
Bekam grew more interested in people as he realized they meant good. “This allowed him to shine through in the following months.”
One of the foster cats took Bekam under his wing, showing him the ropes, introducing him to toys and cat trees, sunbathing with him by the window, and showering him with love.
“He likes to follow his feline friends and do what they do. Being with a social cat really helps him to be more confident.”
Now, at one year old, Bekam is ready to look for a forever home. He’s still a bit shy around strangers but has a gentle and playful heart. Once he knows he’s safe, he turns into an attention-seeker.
“He loves it when we take the time to play with him. He enjoys playing with other kitties whenever he has the opportunity. He wants to befriend every cat he meets, rubbing up against them and following them everywhere.”
After months in foster care, Bekam has grown to adore human companionship.
“His tail rises the moment we pet him, and he now accepts cuddles with delight. He also likes to be held in our arms and stays there for a long time while giving us nose kisses.”
“If we are busy, he will try to get our attention by stepping in front of our computer or rubbing his face against it. He goes to bed with us if we put a small pillow next to ours.”
Bekam has come a long way since he was rescued from the streets. He coos when he talks and is no longer shy about asking for what he wants.
“He likes to be brushed when we watch TV and falls asleep beside us. He enjoys being in the same room with us, watching everything we do. He’s grown into a little foodie who wants his daily treats.”
