I got Shadow from a horrible condition. She was kept in a cage with her littermate (Echo) in an abandoned building that an elderly lady was paying rent on in order for the cats to have a place to stay. There had to be close to thirty cats in this dusty, dirty old building. Apparently, Shadow and Echo were born outside to a stray mama. The lady said that they caught Shadow a couple of weeks before Echo, and that probably made the difference. I was only looking for one kitten, but I couldn't bear the thought of taking her only playmate and leaving Echo alone. After bringing the two of them home, we decided that my mom would keep Echo at her house (she's got three other kitties), and I'd bring Shadow back to school with me.
While Shadow is one of the most loving kitties I've ever met in my life, Echo seems scared to death of everyone and everything. She'll play with one of my mom's other cats (Maggie...we're not sure how old she is, but the shelter estimated that she's just over a year), but as soon as one of the other cats tries to play, Echo runs and hides. She won't use the litterbox...she won't even come out to eat. The only one who has gotten anywhere with her is my brother; sometimes she'll come out and sit in his lap for a few minutes, but if he tries to pet her she runs back to her hiding place. My mom and brother have been trying to work with her for almost two months now, but they don't seem to be getting anywhere.
Over Easter, I spent the weekend at my parents' house and I took Shadow with me. The entire weekend Shadow and Echo ran around the hosue and played with each other with no problem. Echo didn't hide almost the entire time! I really wish the two of them could be together all the time, but my apartment has a one pet limit.
My mom really wants to make this work. Do you guys have any sugestions?
While Shadow is one of the most loving kitties I've ever met in my life, Echo seems scared to death of everyone and everything. She'll play with one of my mom's other cats (Maggie...we're not sure how old she is, but the shelter estimated that she's just over a year), but as soon as one of the other cats tries to play, Echo runs and hides. She won't use the litterbox...she won't even come out to eat. The only one who has gotten anywhere with her is my brother; sometimes she'll come out and sit in his lap for a few minutes, but if he tries to pet her she runs back to her hiding place. My mom and brother have been trying to work with her for almost two months now, but they don't seem to be getting anywhere.
Over Easter, I spent the weekend at my parents' house and I took Shadow with me. The entire weekend Shadow and Echo ran around the hosue and played with each other with no problem. Echo didn't hide almost the entire time! I really wish the two of them could be together all the time, but my apartment has a one pet limit.
My mom really wants to make this work. Do you guys have any sugestions?
