Zara

Eighteen month old Zara came to Protectors of Animals a few weeks ago with her babies and her presumed baby daddy. Hers was a story we have heard all too often- people had taken in a cat or two and had intended to get them spayed and neutered. But life and cost got in the way and suddenly they had many cats, too many to reasonably care for, and more being born every few months. They were overwhelmed and thankfully we had room and were able to help.

Zara is sweet and nervous. She likes people but hangs back if there are too many other cats around or too many people. And this makes sense when you know her background. She is a small girl and may have been bullied or pushed aside by other cats. We believe that she received loving attention from her people, but not enough and not consistently. (Again, no unkind comments please. The people were doing the best that they could.)  So Zara learned to dart and hide. She learned to accept and enjoy affection, but not to expect it.

But we have also learned something else about Zara in the short time that she has been with us- she cannot resist a wand toy, especially the mouse on a wire wand toy. When she sees this toy, Zara becomes Zara the huntress. She is intrepid. She is athletic. Watching her stalk across the shelter you are reminded of a jungle cat silently tracking their prey. Then Zara glances up at you from under her little Groucho eyebrows*, and the illusion is shattered and you can’t help but laugh.

Zara is getting braver every day. She has been fine with respectful cats she has met (and hides from the more aggressive ones). She is looking for a home where someone will work with her on her confidence (playtime will absolutely help), teach her that she never needs to hide, and let her know that she can expect love and affection every single day.

* Like many black cats Zara has thin spots in her fur where eyebrows would be on a person. This is quite normal, but Zara’s are very pronounced and she looks all the world like a little old man with bushy eyebrows. Combined with her white tipped toes, we think these make Zara both unique and adorable.