The quiet cat spent most of his time alone until he met Bully at the shelter. The two transformed each other and formed an unexpected bond.
Carter and HenryExploits Valley SPCA
Carter the cat came to the Exploits Valley SPCA as an emaciated stray – abrasive, shy and timid, who hissed at anyone who came near.
“Of course, people will be discouraged from keeping Carter when other cats jump into your arms, but Carter deserves love and needs that love to finally feel safe and comfortable,” the SPCA said.
They saw a kind heart behind those fearsome eyes: “He loves having his chin scratched and being spoken to kindly.”
Carter was very shy when he first came to the shelter.Exploits Valley SPCA
Over the next six months, the shelter staff worked hard to socialize Carter and earn his trust. He no longer hid in his cage and felt comfortable enough in his room to stretch out and relax.
He got along well with friendly cats but was mostly alone, but as his confidence grew he began approaching people for attention and petting and his playful nature also emerged.
Slowly but surely, he came out of his shell.Exploits Valley SPCA
“He’s grown in so many ways… and not just in breadth. Carter now loves the staff and volunteers, and gets along well with members of the public who come to visit. He’s done a 180 since coming to the shelter and he never fails to make us laugh.”
“He went from being a cat that nobody would touch to one that rolled over for belly rubs.”
He now enjoys rolling around on the floor.Exploits Valley SPCA
Elsewhere at the shelter, Henry the cat arrived with a tangle of fur on his legs and underbelly. After a day at the spa, Henry was feeling much better and curled up in his bed for some much-needed sleep.
But the shelter environment was stressful for him: “Henry was not happy and was starting to become a bit of a bully.”
Henry was rescued with hair matted all over his legs and belly.Exploits Valley SPCA
He wanted to be the center of attention and didn’t want to share space with other cats. “He’s very affectionate with people, especially when they pamper him and tell him how cute he is. He was rescued from the outside when he was only a few years old and was never adopted.”
For a while, staff thought the kitten needed a home where he could live as an only kitten.
He didn’t want to share his space with other cats.Exploits Valley SPCA
Weeks passed, then months, and Henry was still there, waiting to find his forever home, while Carter had been at the shelter for over a year and was well established.
Carter enjoys spending time with the staff and volunteers, “but most of all, she loves her comfy bed and her dishes that never go empty. She has grown to the size of a basketball and can often be found sprawled out in the middle of the floor, her belly proudly on display.”
CarterExploits Valley SPCA
He had never gotten along with other cats until he met Henry, with whom he had the most unlikely of chemistry.
“Henry loves to bully the new cat, bully the old cat and get up to mischief. He even slaps the hands of the cats who feed him but is so adorable in his own way. I have always said Henry would be best kept as a single cat, which makes his love for Carter even more special.”
Carter and Henry formed an unexpected bond.Exploits Valley SPCA
“Henry, who only loves himself, has decided that Carter is his equal.”
Soon after meeting Carter, Henry was drawn to his calm presence. He stuck close to Carter and followed him everywhere. “Henry didn’t bully Carter and he treated him differently than the other kids,” she said.
Exploits Valley SPCA
The two formed a beautiful friendship that no one expected.
Carter loves Henry’s company and his antics, not minding the shadows following behind him and purring as they go on adventures together.
Henry follows Carter everywhere.Exploit Valley SPCA
Henry seems very relaxed, feeling safe with his best friend. Carter’s purring gets louder when Henry is around. “We all love a bromance at the shelter, especially when it’s an unlikely duo.”
Exploits Valley SPCA
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