A woman who adopted a shelter cat once kept in solitary confinement for her “mean” behavior has shared how the cat’s true personality surprised everyone.
In a TikTok video posted by user @woepaint, the woman gently picks up the fluffy feline, who quickly leans in and rests her head on her new owner’s shoulder. The clip’s text reads, “me and the cat that the shelter said was too sassy and that had to be in kitty solitary confinement for being mean to employees and other cats.” The video has attracted over 617,000 views and hundreds of thousands of likes.
Newsweek reached out to @woepaint for comment but could not verify the full details of the cat’s shelter history.
Each year, around 3.2 million cats enter U.S. shelters, according to the ASPCA. Shelter life can be extremely stressful for animals. The University of Florida explains that loud noises, confinement, and constant unfamiliar stimuli often cause fear, anxiety, and frustration. These emotions can make animals act out with aggression or withdrawal, impacting their health and chances for adoption.
Chronic stress in shelters may lead to social isolation, boredom, and physical inactivity. This harms both emotional and physical well-being, sometimes resulting in extended stays or euthanasia.
However, just as physical health can improve, so can emotional well-being with the right care and environment. This cat’s transformation shows how a loving home can reveal an animal’s softer side.
The video has resonated widely. One user joked, “She knew she was too pretty to be in there.” Another wrote, “I will always defend her, maybe the employees had bad vibes.”
A fellow cat owner shared a similar experience: “My cat is the sweetest at home but gets scared at the vet and has to be sedated.”
This story highlights how animals sometimes just need the right person and place to truly thrive.
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