Every cat has a story. Studebaker’s is one of trust, resilience, and collaboration.
This big, tough-looking cat was found outdoors with an injured tail. His finder took him to a local veterinary hospital. From there, he moved to a county shelter for stray services. Then he transferred to CAT.
Caring for local cats like Studebaker is always a top priority at CAT. Before the pandemic, the cat population in our area was pretty well-managed, so we could transfer in many more cats from farther away. Today, the vast majority of the cats we take in are from our local area.
Studebaker is one reason why.
Since 2020, the Portland metro area’s feral and free-roaming cat population has surged. The disruption of spay/neuter services, changes in how shelters handle stray cats, and a national shortage of veterinary professionals all contributed. Now we’re seeing more local cats in need—and many, like Studebaker, require extra care.
Although his tail injury had healed, Studebaker needed more than medical attention.
In his early days at CAT, Studebaker was overwhelmed and fearful. Behind his scrappy looks was a timid soul who had clearly spent time fending for himself. His insecurity led to behaviors that made it hard for him to connect with adopters. He would bite or grab if you tried to leave his room. He wanted attention, but was conflicted. Enter CAT’s behavior modification team.
“We had to work on building Studebaker’s confidence and trust,” says Nancy Puro, CAT’s volunteer and behavior programs manager. “He needed to know that he was safe.”
The team began by sitting quietly with Studebaker to show him that people weren’t going to leave. His love of food was a valuable tool. He got rewarded with treats for staying calm when people left the room.
As Studebaker gained confidence, his true personality emerged. Instead of desperate nipping, he began showering everyone with affection. With this new attitude, he soon won over a loving family. His adopters work from home, so now he gets all the companionship he craves!
With our local cat population booming, more cats like Studebaker are counting on us. With the support of our community, CAT is committed to meeting these challenges and giving every cat a chance at a happy life. Thank you for being part of these efforts.
Want to help more cats like Studebaker? Find CAT in this year’s Give!Guide and donate today!
