For a shy cat, it can be difficult to get noticed by potential adopters. Outshined by more gregarious felines, introverted cats can take longer to make a good first impression or to tug at the heartstrings, but that doesn’t mean that they have any less love to give. In the case of one quiet cat named Crème, all it took was the right family—both human and animal—to get him to come out of his shell. Here is his story.

Crème arrived at the ASPCA in May at the age of 10 months.  The striking Snowshoe had come from a home with too many animals and was quite withdrawn around new people and things. Luckily, his sweetness was apparent to one of our volunteer coordinators, Barbara, who immediately thought of a seasoned volunteer at the ASPCA Adoption Center named Eva. Eva had a knack for helping shy animals come out of their shell.

One evening, after completing an ASPCA therapy-dog training class with her pup, Benji, Eva was approached by Barbara. Barbara told her, “There’s a cat who just came in that reminds me so much of Nathan.” Nathan is one of Eva’s adopted cats from the ASPCA, and he had been an extremely fearful kitty when Eva first met him. She recalls him hiding in a corner at the Adoption Center, and then in her bathroom for several days after she brought him home.

It was clear to Eva that Barbara loved Crème, and although adopting another cat had not been in her plans, she soon fell in love with him, too. Less than a week later, she found herself bringing the little guy home.

Although Eva had intended to keep Crème separated from her resident animals until he grew accustomed to his new environment, it turns out that the shy cat had an inquisitive personality and an insatiable desire to meet his new feline and canine siblings. Crème quickly became fast friends with Eva’s resident pets: Benji the dog and cats Nathan and Scotty.

Eva tells us that Crème quickly figured out all of the nooks and crannies in her apartment. She has a custom-made cat tree in her home that is a constant source of enrichment, playtime and lounging space for her three cats. Playful, year-old Crème has sparked a newfound youthfulness in 16-year-old Nathan and 10 ½-year-old Scotty. Crème kisses all of Eva’s pets regularly, affectionately thanking his new siblings for graciously welcoming this once-shy cat into his new, loving home.