There’s nothing more heartbreaking than seeing shy pets get passed by. Often, when potential adopters come to Helen Woodward Animal Center, they skip over the more reserved pets who might not immediately greet them with love and attention like more gregarious animals. The worst part is, many of these reserved animals have wonderfully warm personalities — they’re just scared in the shelter.
Armand was one such pet who didn’t show incredibly well in the shelter system. The five-year-old heather gray and white cat first came to the Center at the end of March this year. As he was older and wiser than our normal feline fare, our animal care team set him up in the deluxe Solarium suite. There, he had everything he needed — a nice big litter box and water bowl, plenty of toys, and premiere cat food. And yet, he spent his days hiding in his cat tree. No matter what, he wouldn’t leave. Volunteers could pet him and he would purr, but he still wouldn’t leave his cozy cat tree.
Many people looking for a feline friend passed over Armand. They were drawn to spunky kittens who practically throw themselves onto potential pet parents. Nobody wanted Armand’s slow burn.
After months of sitting in the Solarium watching younger and feistier kittens get adopted, Armand got a break. The Center’s Client Services Supervisor, Tahnee Bolster, had been drawn to the little guy since he first arrived. She saw him continue to be passed up by people and knew he deserved a loving home. So she opened up hers. In early June, Bolster and her husband took Armand home and were treated to an incredible surprise. Armand revealed he had a wonderfully loving personality.
“He’s nothing like he was at the Center,” Bolster said. “He’s always roaming around, meowing, and enjoying the sunlight.
Armand — or Franklin Armand as he’s now known — had a beautiful heart within him all along. He just needed the right people, and the right environment to bring it out.
