Andy was a sloppy and shy kitten when he first arrived in foster care. He came from a pack of cats and was taken to a feral cat clinic, where the staff noticed his sweet side behind all the purr.
Nikki Martinez, an animal rescuer and foster carer, was aware of his need and didn’t hesitate to help. “Raggedy Andy hissed, spat and hit me when I picked him up, but he was motivated to eat,” Nikki said.
Despite his tough exterior, she saw deep inside, Andy just wanted to feel safe and loved. Nikki has prepared a cozy and quiet space for Andy to relieve stress. The next day, she arrives with a blanket to help the kitten get used to touching.
She begins to associate “happy things,” such as snacks, with hearing her voice, being with her, and being petted or hugged. Andy tries to shrink back and hide, but finds herself unable to resist all the affection.
Nikki also introduced different toys to Andy to see if any of them caught his interest. The quill toy especially attracted the shy boy hiding in a corner.
“I could see him swinging his arm like he wanted to reach out and grab it.”
Slowly but surely, Andy begins to develop a crush on Nikki and discovers his love of chin scratches. His wary eyes turned curious, and his personality began to show.
One day, Andy mustered up the courage to accept more caresses, when he rolled over to reveal his fluffy belly. He allows Nikki to rub his belly for the first time and even wiggles his body to ask for more. The shy, hissing cat has turned into a mischievous, likable and lovable boy. After being cleaned and groomed, Andy is upgraded to a spacious room where he finds his confidence booster.
In just a few weeks, Andy was no longer a filthy feral cat. He turns into a sweet, full-fledged scorpion. When he got back to the vet, he let everyone cuddle him and didn’t make a sound. Andy is ready for her next chapter of being loved and spoiled in a place of her own. Nikki hopes to find a loving, patient family that will continue to work with him and allow him to grow.
With some snacks and his favorite toys, Andy is settled in his new home. In an instant, he found his way and found one of his favorite places in his mother’s lap.