“My name is Theodore …”
After Theodore was surrendered to the Cat Care Society due to issues with house soiling, it became clear to the shelter staff that this gentle cat was extremely shy. He appeared withdrawn and disoriented in his kennel, seemingly unsure of how he had ended up in this unfamiliar place.
“His surrender paperwork mentioned that his biggest fear is leaving any space where he feels secure,” said Ariana Jenks, the marketing manager at Cat Care Society, in an interview with The Dodo.
Cat Care Society operates as a free-roam shelter, meaning once Theodore completed his medical checkup, he was free to roam with the other cats. The sudden exposure to so many new sights and sounds left him feeling overwhelmed. However, it wasn’t long before he found a spot that made him feel safe—beneath a large bed.
“Our animal care supervisor, Michelle, noticed Theodore under the bed early the next morning during her routine cleaning,” Jenks shared. “She quickly realized the bed was not where she’d originally placed it.”
To Theodore, the bed acted like a protective shell, much like a turtle’s, giving him the comfort he needed as he adjusted to his surroundings. While the staff was amused by his creative choice of a hiding spot, they were concerned someone might not notice him hiding under there. To avoid this, they put up a sign.
“Michelle put up a sign once she spotted an orange cat named Teddy lounging on the bed,” Jenks explained. “We think Teddy knew Theodore was hiding underneath, and we didn’t want potential adopters to overlook him—or accidentally sit on him!”
Though Theodore had only been at the shelter for a few days, the staff was committed to helping him feel more at ease. For now, his sense of security came from hiding under the bed, and that was okay with everyone.
“The best home for Theodore would be one with patience and lots of love, where he can slowly adapt to his surroundings,” Jenks said. “Ideally, it would be a child-free home, as we believe that may have been what caused him stress in his previous environment. His former owners described him as talkative, affectionate, and friendly, though he tends to be shy around strangers.”
Everyone at the shelter believes Theodore’s perfect family is out there, and until they find him, he’ll be waiting—safely tucked beneath his cozy bed.