Chow Meow Meow

Chow Meow Meow is a shy senior lady with a remarkable story. She spent her entire life in the basement of a Chinatown office building, just a block from Animal Haven. The building's supers (who named her) kindly left out food, water, and a litter box for all those years. About a year ago, Chow began losing weight and a younger, more dominant cat had also moved into the basement and would occasionally swat at her. Given her age and declining condition, everyone assumed she was simply nearing the end of her life. Someone took her to a vet, where surprisingly, aside from mild dental disease and some age-related findings to monitor, Chow was remarkably healthy for a cat who had spent over 15 years in a basement! Chow was moved into a home temporarily while the building sought a longer-term option, and the change was extraordinary. Her appetite improved, she has excellent litter box habits, and she spent most of her days sleeping in a sunny window. Behaviorally, Chow is still learning that people are safe. Yet even in her first days indoors she began offering head rubs, sleeping belly-up, waiting by the door at mealtimes, and accepting gentle petting. Her confidence still comes and goes, but those moments show there is so much more of her sweet personality waiting to emerge. Chow would do best in a calm, patient home where she can continue coming out of her shell at her own pace.