A dashing Persian kitty, Cocoa, found himself returned to California rescuers multiple times. His story shows that some people just don’t know what to reasonably expect from life with cats.
For instance, they might meow a lot and become upset when they come to a new home for the first night. And they need to be very gradually introduced to other pets. Even with gradual intros, you can expect some odd behavior and friction for a while. You know, common sense, but maybe that’s just because we’re lifelong cat people?
Whatever it is, rescues see so many cats returned for no good reason. Maybe, Cocoa’s story can help remedy that situation a little. We hope, anyway!
Ameowzing Cocoa Travels from Columbia to the US
Cocoa is a beautiful, fluffy, one-and-a-half-year-old Persian who came all the way from Columbia to the United States with his family in the summer of 2023.
They must have loved him very much to bring him along. To get to the States, they had to go through the always-complicated process of traveling and crossing borders with a pet. But they did it, only to find out a family member in the States was severely allergic to cats!
Cocoa via Facebook/Pet Adoption Fund
That’s what happened to Cocoa, and his story could have easily ended there at a shelter. But, fortunately, rescuers from the Pet Adoption Fund in California took in the young Persian boy. They just couldn’t say no and found him to be an “absolutely purrfect” boy with the “ameowzing ability” to brighten everyone’s day!
“When they brought him to us, we just couldn’t say no to that pawdorable face and his cute, little snaggletooth. He’s a bit shy and scared right now, but he’s still supurr sweet, gentle, and affectionate. He loves to cuddle and be pet and brushed,” said foster dad Cory Reynolds.
Images and media via Instagram/iamthecatman
Return Number One: A Bit of Feline Friction
As fluffy, dashing, and sweet as Cocoa was, he found a family quickly. But then, they returned him. Why? He was not fitting in with their cat right away. But he had scarcely the time to adjust to his new home before he returned again, and he was generally friendly with other kitties in the rescue. So, what gives?
Introducing a new pet is generally always going to take time, and it’s a rare fairytale when everyone gets along right away. Instead, one can expect several months before things start to feel like home and maybe longer for cats to accept one another fully. Sometimes, cats sharing a home just give each other a wide berth, but they usually learn to cohabitate, with a few exceptions.
“Can you believe Cocoa was returned? Apparently he didn’t get along with the other cat, but I don’t think it was his fault,” said Cory.
Return Number Two: A Night of Meowing?
Once again, Coco found a new home. But alas, the family returned him -again! This time, it was because he meowed all night when he arrived, you know, like any cat finding themselves in a strange place for the first time.
Our advice: Prepare to deal with the meowing for a few nights. (And whenever your cats throw surprise parties at 2 am.)
Consider that rescuers everywhere spend all night long bottle-feeding kittens for weeks just so they can have a chance to find a home.
“The face Cocoa made when he was returned yet again. Sigh. I really thought this was his true furever home, so I guess don’t ever ask me for lottery numbers,” Cory said.
“It’s not uncommon for a cat to meow all night their first night in their new home. They’re scared and stressed and, they’re just expressing that to you, but it will stop once they adjust , which is usually just a few days.”
Here’s Cocoa showing what a purrfect, silly boy he is regardless of his former adopters. Their loss.
Finally: the Right Family!
The day after Cory posted the cute video, Cocoa struck gold and went home, and this time, hopefully, it’s furever! He certainly deserves some stability after all that he went through.
The Pet Adoption Fund found homes for many kitties on their ‘Hope Filled‘ day. Thanks to their primary volunteer efforts, there is hope for cats like Cocoa, even when people keep returning them multiple times. Clearly, potential adopters need more education that it takes time for any new pet to feel at home. Don’t give up! Give them the chance they require and deserve.
Happy life to this fluffy kitty and his furever family! You can follow Cocoa’s foster dad on Instagram. And follow the Pet Adoption Fund on Facebook, and Instagram.
