“Come meet Salem. He might hiss. He might cuddle. He might steal your soul.”
Meet Salem: The Cat with Big Feelings and Even Bigger Personality
Salem, a cat with a flair for drama, is currently residing at the DeKalb Humane Society, and he’s certainly not your average feline. After being surrendered by his previous family who found themselves overwhelmed with too many cats, Salem spent some time living outside. Now, he’s adjusting to life as an indoor cat again—and it’s clear that he’s got a lot to say about it.
“Salem is something else — in the best possible way,” said Teresa Feightner, the director of DeKalb Humane Society. “He’s affectionate, hilarious, and a total ham … until you do something he doesn’t vibe with, like giving meds, discouraging him from climbing the curtains, or scratching the wrong spot. Then? He might smack or nip — briefly — before returning to sweet, charming Salem like nothing happened.”
Salem’s personality is dramatic, but also endearing and unforgettable. He’s a cat of strong opinions and bigger feelings, always keeping his human companions on their toes. And it doesn’t stop there—he’s a bit of a comedian, too.
The shelter recently started an initiative where visitors can fill out “feline report cards” after spending time with the cats, and Emma, a longtime volunteer, wrote a report on Salem that left everyone in stitches. The report captured Salem’s chaotic charm so perfectly that it inspired the shelter to post a hilarious adoption ad on Facebook to spread the word about Salem and his quirks.
The post describes him as the kind of cat who’s “plotting your demise” if you dare make direct eye contact—yet, once you win him over, he’s a lovable, affectionate companion. Emma’s report card was full of humor and honesty, and it perfectly conveyed the dramatic, sometimes cheeky nature of Salem.
“Emma filled out a truly unhinged and hilarious report card that sparked the post,” Feightner said. “It captured his chaotic charm perfectly.”
While the ad has garnered plenty of laughs and shares online, it hasn’t yet resulted in an adoption application, likely because Salem requires a special type of person to understand him.
“He needs a very specific kind of home — someone who gets cats with big personalities,” Feightner explained. “Salem is not a ‘beginner cat.’ He’s looking for a cat person who will meet him where he’s at and respect his boundaries.”
Salem might not be for everyone, but for someone who enjoys a little chaos mixed with their cuddles, he could be the perfect match. As Feightner puts it, “If someone is looking for a cat who keeps them laughing, guessing, and constantly on their toes (in a fun way!), Salem could be the perfect match. He’s a rewarding companion for someone who appreciates a little chaos with their cuddles.”
If you’re someone who loves a cat with character—and don’t mind the occasional smack or nip when he’s feeling dramatic—Salem might just be the friend you never knew you needed.