RIDGEWOOD, NY — A friendly stray cat, later named Chris, made an unexpected decision one day—he climbed through a window, sensing safety and kindness awaited him inside.
The feline had been visiting a local Good Samaritan who cared for feral cats in the neighborhood. Noticing his sociable demeanor, she realized he didn’t belong on the streets and reached out to Ridgewood Rescue, a New York-based animal rescue group, for help.
A Leap of Faith
When Chris returned to the finder’s home, she opened the window, coaxing him inside with food and affection. Intrigued, the cat rubbed against the window frame before stepping in, as if knowing his life was about to change.
“When we picked him up, we realized he was a neutered male with no microchip—clearly, he’d had a home before,” said Heather Glassberg of Ridgewood Rescue in an interview with Love Meow. Despite posting flyers and asking around, no owner came forward, a sadly common occurrence.
Chris adjusted quickly to indoor life, relishing constant attention and regular meals. But one challenge remained: he refused to use the litter box.
A Persistent Problem
The rescue team tried everything—different litters, extra boxes, pheromones, even consulting a vet and a behaviorist—but nothing worked.
“We thought maybe he’d always been an outdoor cat, used to doing his business outside,” Glassberg explained. With indoor life proving difficult, they began exploring alternative options, including barn cat adoption.
A Miracle Match
Then, a woman from Massachusetts reached out. Living in a semi-rural area, she had a unique setup: a doggie door leading to a secure backyard, which her previous cat had used. She was open to the possibility of accidents but committed to giving Chris a loving home.
The adoption was finalized after an 11-hour round-trip handoff in Connecticut. “Tears were flowing on both sides,” Glassberg recalled.
A Happy Ending
In his new home, the cat—now named Felix—surprised everyone. “He’s had no accidents in over two weeks and uses the litter box perfectly,” Glassberg shared.
Felix has since bonded with his adopter’s granddaughter and shows no interest in going outside. “They really love him,” Glassberg said. “Perhaps he was just waiting for the right family all along.”
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