Sonya - Protectors of Animals

Adopters with an approved application can schedule an appointment to meet our available cats. You do not need to choose a specific cat, but you must have an approved application on file.

“The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some it’s a Broadway spotlight, for others, a lamplit desk.”

~ Susan Cain

There’s nothing wrong with being timid. It just means that you take the world a little slower. You don’t instantly trust everybody who comes along. You sit back. You watch. You wait. People have to work to earn your heart.

Hi. I’m Sonya, and I’m timid.

It’s hard to be timid when you’re a gorgeous young calico like me. People assume that when you’re this beautiful, you automatically welcome all their chatter and laughing and playing. I realize that they want to oooh and ahhh over me—after all, who wouldn’t? But they don’t always understand that they still need to start slowly, quietly. Soft voices, respectful touches. Baby steps.

That doesn’t mean all I’m going to do is sit in a corner (or under a sofa) and watch the world go by. I just think it’s much nicer when people respect my boundaries and proceed at my pace. You can start by hanging out with me, talking quietly and stroking my soft fur. If you have a few treats, I can be coaxed to come nearer. It’s okay if you just want to sit with me and read a book or do your work—something quiet and calm that lets me relax. Then, when I’m ready and I know I can trust you—that’s when I let down my guard. Because once I know I’m safe, I love to be petted and fussed over. I’ll sit next to you and head-butt you, and I may even talk to you—as long as you’ve shown me you’ll pay attention to what I’m comfortable with.

I’ll be happiest with someone who has a very quiet home, with no small children or other animals. If you have experience with timid cats, that’ll help both of us. Because even though I’m timid now, I don’t want to spend my life being nervous. I want to find someone who will be patient with me, who will show me unconditional love and teach me to trust. Someone I can count on. Someone who will help me to know that I don’t have anything to fear, because I’m home at last.

If you think you and I might get along, please fill out the application at www.poainc.org. If you already have an approved application, you can simply email poaplacement@gmail.com and tell them you’d like to meet one year old Sonya (that’s me). I’d love to meet you—especially if you have a few extra treats for me.

P.S. The placement folks will probably ask if you know I’m FIV positive, so I’m telling you first. Not that you need to worry, because FIV+ cats can live long, healthy lives.