At Jelly’s Place in San Pablo, California, the kitten wasn’t exactly the most adoptable. She would hiss and withdraw her entire body into a corner when people went by or approached the kitten’s cage.
The kitten, who had been found as a stray, didn’t have a hope of finding a home.
Kendal Benken, one of the shelter’s seasoned wild kitten whisperers, was contacted. “They said, ‘You better come here and look at this crazy stuff,’” Benken explains.
Benken has mastered the art of taming even the most untamed kittens. She and her rescue dogs and cats have the ability to make even the most distraught creatures feel at home.
She dashed over to the shelter and had a look at the cat. Benken concluded the 5-week-old Siamese wasn’t intimidating, but afraid, within minutes.
“No one was able to touch her.” “She was enraged,” Benken explained. “She was a small devil,” says the narrator. It was a fight-or-flight response. She had most likely never been handled before. She was abrasive in her demeanor. She was hissing and hissing and hissing and hissing and his “However, she was lovely.”
The only way to transport the grumpy kitty was to wrap her in a towel and gently cradle her. Benken swaddled the cat lovingly, placed her in a container, and drove her home.
The kitty was not delighted with this arrangement, and she was still cranky when she arrived to Benken’s house. Benken called her Betty because she believed she’d win her over. “She had those [Bette] Davis eyes, those large, lovely blue eyes,” says the narrator. “She reminded me of Betty,” Benken stated.
Betty was unwrapped and placed in the middle of the kitchen by Benken. “I put her in a large dog kennel with food, water, and a litter box,” said the owner. Benken explained, “She couldn’t escape and hide.” “For feral kittens, forcing them out of their comfort zone and placing them in a busy section of your house is the greatest thing you can do.”
Benken’s family of rescue animals soon arrived to see Betty. The dogs were enthralled by the difficult new foster family member. Betty’s demeanor somehow increased their admiration for her.
They’d snuggle around the kitten, trying to make her feel at ease in the hopes that Betty might become their companion one day. Truvy, a large yellow Lab mix who adores foster kittens, desired this the most of all the animals in Benken’s home.
“Truvy possesses a unique talent. She is drawn to rescue missions. I believe she considers herself to be a mother cat. “Truvy was enthralled by Betty,” Benken explained.
Betty grew used to her new load with each passing day. Betty came to the conclusion that the Benken family wasn’t too horrible after around two weeks. She didn’t require swaddling any longer. She enjoyed being petted and held. Then came a watershed moment: Betty claimed Truvy as a friend.
“Betty just climbed atop Truvy, made herself at home, and refused to move.” Betty was on Truvy’s tail, so she was scared to move. Benken described it as “the loveliest thing.” “Truvy was overjoyed that Betty had finally reciprocated her feelings.”
For Benken, it was a bittersweet time. Betty had grown on her, but she realized her time as a foster mom was done. The hissing, the frightened kitten had matured into a charming, sociable family member, suitable for adoption.
Benken, Betty’s foster mother, was picky about who would adopt her. Roz Westil, on the other hand, was overjoyed when Benken questioned her.
“When I chatted with Roz, I knew she was the one for Betty. “I wanted her to go to someone who would treat her so nicely because she’s such a wonderful kitty,” Benken said.
And Westil claimed that the moment she chatted with Benken, she knew Betty was the one. Westil told The Dodo, “It was serendipity.” “When she emailed me the photo of Betty on top of the dog, I said to myself, ‘How could I not adopt her?’”
Betty needed a few weeks to become used to Westil and her new surroundings. “I assumed she was terrified.” “I maintained her in a safe setting and gradually broadened it, allowing her to tell me what she wanted to do,” Westil explained.
Betty is now an inquisitive, sociable cat who makes Westil laugh with her antics.
Betty is doing so well that Westil decided to adopt Amber, another rescue cat. Although it wasn’t love at first sight, the two have evolved into their own cat group. Betty bolted when they were acquainted, according to Westil. “It took them both a long time. Then I have no idea what occurred! They were inseparable after a week of bonding. It’s incredible. They spend practically all of their time together.”
Westil said she now has a lot of adopted cat love in her heart and home. “I believe having animals around is amazing.” “It’s a joy,” she expressed her delight. “They adore each other as well.” It’s as though they were meant for each other. Betty, on the other hand, sleeps on my bed; she cuddles, and she’s such a sweet little cat. “She’s stunning.”
