When rescuers found Samuel, they worried it might be too late for the frail cat. Samuel had spent most of his life confined in a small cage, leaving him with a host of health problems, including swollen eyes from mange and severe malnourishment.
He ended up at BARC, a municipal shelter in Houston, Texas, where his poor condition led to a scheduled euthanasia after the mandatory holding period.
Samuel had been isolated in a hoarding situation in Detroit, far from human affection or the company of other animals. But just before his time ran out, a shelter employee posted his photo online, changing his fate.
Leslie Raines, a vet tech in Houston who was home sick, stumbled across Samuelâs picture.
Raines told The Dodo, âSomeone posted a picture of a really skinny cat that tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
I knew that wouldnât help him get adopted, and he just looked so pathetic. So I reached out to rescue groups, offering to foster him if I could get some backing.â
Hastily, Save A Purrfect Cat Rescue (SAPCR) stepped in to save Samuel, and one of Rainesâ clients volunteered to transport the ailing cat to the clinic.
During the journey, his rescuer feared the worst. âShe honestly thought he was going to die in the car, he was in such bad shape,â Raines recounted.
Upon arriving at the veterinary office, Samuel received immediate medical care. He was emaciated, suffering from mange, and bore pressure wounds from prolonged confinement.
Despite his fragile state, Raines stayed hopeful. A friend assured her, âI promise you there is a beautiful cat underneath all this, and weâre going to find him.â
As Samuel regained weight and his vision improved, he began overcoming years of trauma. Initially shy, he slowly ventured from his comfort zone, a wire-top cat carrier, to explore his new environment.
âHe didnât know how to play,â Raines explained. âWalking on the floor was like walking on hot coals for him.â
Months passed and Samuelâs thick black-and-white coat returned, but he still battled fears. Raines noted, âHis shadow surprised him every time, and his reflection in glass windows made him very suspicious.â
When potential adopters came nearly a year later, Samuel reverted to his timid past. Despite careful vetting by Raines, something always seemed offâuntil Bryan Smith noticed Samuel on PetFinder.
The cat reminded Smith of his late Maine Coon, lost to cancer the previous year, sparking a connection upon their meeting.
âThe day I met Bryan, he sat on the floor next to Samuelâs kennel and just talked to him,â Raines shared. âSamuelâs expression changed completelyâhe relaxed.â
Smithâs calm demeanor impressed everyone, including Samuel, who signaled his approval by choosing Bryan during their visit.
Samuel transformed over the year into a handsome, fluffy feline, finally at home with his new dad.
Now filled with love and confidence, he explores the house without fear, kneading his paws in contentment whenever Smith praises him. Samuel spends his days watching squirrels through the window, comfortable in his reflection at last.
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