So, today and tomorrow, Petco is host to a pet adoption agency. They're having cats and dogs that they fostered and holding them up for adoption. Today, my mom and I went to look for a young cat or a kitten. Eventually, we settled on two cats. Two, because apparently they were raised together, and it would be a tough adjustment to split them apart. The two in question are a four year old orange tabby (unoriginally named Garfield) and a six month old black cat named Sasha. We adopted them and took them home.

When we brought them home, I opened their carryons up in the living room. Garfield was very active, investigating the first floor of the house. Sasha, however, stuck around inside her case. When I tried to egg her on out, she ran underneath a couch. She's been there since. I've taken her out to hold her, but when I let her go, she runs and hides again.

I'm starting to think that choosing to adopt Sasha as well as Garfield was a bad idea. I was wondering if, by the end of the week, if she continues this behavior, I should bring her back to the adoption center and give her back. My mom wants to keep her for a week to see what she does. Garfield is perfectly fine, but I'm worrying about Sasha in particular, since she's now very reserved and doesn't want attention.

Here's how I see it. If I split them up, then Garfield might have difficulty adjusting without a fellow cat. But, Sasha might be happier in a different home, since as far as I can see, she's not comfortable yet in this one.

Your thoughts?

Yeah, I would take the advice of your mom and just hold out a week. Sasha's previous life probably had her going from one place to another so she just needs time to adjust and realize that is her new home.

Try bringing out some food near her hiding spot, and pet her when she comes to eat it. She will then most likely associate you with food, and be more trusting with you. You can take it from there.

I think you should keep Sasha for a while longer and see how things turn out. She's probably just nervous about being in a completely new home surrounded by new people.

Ah... I remember it like it was only yesterday. I have a few (5) cats living with me, all with their very own and unique personalities. Our most recent adoption is named Sugarbear. He's a tad large in the belly, and a maincoon (our only male as well). When we first got him and let him lose, he immediately ran under the coach, and was there for a day or so. We coaxed him out eventually, but then proceeded to hide in the dark and damp crawlspace (where you neither want to go or feel save going) and tunneled into the insulation (which can be toxic - thankfully he wasn't hurt). We didn't know where he was for the three or four days, but were starting to worried he was already dead of starvation. When we figured out where he was we brought down a small bowl of food and water and (my mom at least) would talk softly to him and try to coax him out. Thankfully he started eating the food and after about a week of this, he was willing to come out. He is now quite healthy, quite um... fat, and still scared of every little thing (also quite demanding for the petting).

Lesson of the story? The cat will likely be afraid of many things, but will also adjust enough he'll be around you and want attention. Whether or not that "scaredy-cat" persona is okay with you is kinda what I'd say (I personally like the variety of personalities in my cats).