Just adopted 2 rescue cats-female is mean to shy sweet male

I just adopted two rescues this weekend. They are both around two years old. The male is a Bombay and is the sweetest- he loves all the cats at the rescue and has lived there his entire life until now. He trusts me and let's me pick him up and rolls over to show his belly and allows belly rubs without any aggression. He even let's me hold him and loves to be cradled.
The female is a tuxedo who was abandoned by her family and forced to live outdoors under their porch while caring for her two kittens before she was found and rescued, she is very affectionate and was at the rescue for a year. She would follow me just as the male did at the rescue and both let me pet them anywhere, very trusting. She did display dislikes towards the other rescued cat residents, and did not like the environment. When she was on her way to be dropped off with the male, she helped calm the male down by placing her paw on him. Since then though, she has hissed, growled, and bats him away when the sweet boy goes slowly towards her to get comfort from her. He really is a love and misses his cat companions, but she wants nothing to do with him. He gets so scared he runs away and hides every time I go to console him, he trusts me and purrs and shows his belly. When she thinks he's not around she is very sweet and loving towards me. I am worried that she will never accept the male cat even though he is the sweetest cat ever, he's never hissed or growled or displayed any negative body behavior towards her. She is being really mean. I know cats hate change but they are awesome with me separately, just when they're in the same area, the female shows contempt towards the male when I interact with him and he will run away and hide even before she makes a sound towards him.

What should I do? I was told to give it a few days like a week or two. If the female doesn't want to co habitat with the male, I was informed that I could bring her back to the rescue and bring home another for the male Bombay because he seriously needs companionship since that's been his upbringing. I truly do not want to let the female go back to the rescue, she is sooo sweet with me and chose me just as the male did. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Hi @gelizabee.. Welcome to TCS and congratulations on your two new friends.

I'm really surprised that the rescue people have not explained about introducing cats.  It is really rare to just put two cats together and they get on.  They've been taken to a new place and now need to gently and carefully establish their place in it, including sharing it with each other.  I think it's wonderful that your boy is so good about it, and not at all surprised at your girl's behaviour.

We have a really excellent article on how to introduce cats.  It's not at all too late..  (sometimes cats that have been together for years and are apart for a short time will need reintroducing).

Have a read and please do ask any questions. 

 [article="32680"]How To Successfully Introduce Cats The Ultimate Guide​[/article]  

Just wanted to say thank you for adopting the two cats!

Also wanted to say, I am also in the same exact situation! My resident boy cat is super sweet and loves being held and pet and sits in laps and I recently adopted a 6 month old tuxedo female and she acts exactly the same as your cat. Found it funny and wanted to share haha 

Anyways, from my own experience cat introductions do help the two meet more civil such as Mani said!
Try isolating the tuxedo in a room, feed the two from opposite sides of the door. Play with them near the door, pet them near the door.

Then maybe crack the door open a bit to meet, maybe a screen door or baby gate so they can see each other and not interact.

It is possible the two can coexist in peace! Just give it time and good luck 

gelizabee,

I agree with the other posters on it is not too late and go through the introduction process.

That is a lot of change so it is totally understandable that she is a bit grumpy. Combine that with what she has been through and it makes a lot of sense.

I would really work on building her confidence. She obviously loves you and trusts you. Given that she was abandoned she may be fearful of it happening again. Try to play with her a lot and then give her food and treats. Give her places to go up high (cat trees) and places to hang out and sleep. She needs to feel comfortable in the new home (territory). Once she feels secure I don't see any reason why she will not accept him given his personality. 

Also, we need to build his confidence. When they do meet if she shows any aggression towards him distract her with play. We want him to know she is not going to attack or hurt him. Once he is confident and stands up to her they will have the mutual respect and be able to coexist and hopefully do even better. I am fast forwarding a bit here but it is something to mention.

I would like to go through the introduction process, build each of their confidence and then when they meet if you see signs of one focusing on the other in an unhealthy way you distract.

You always want to associate the other cat with something good like play and food. At first through smell and then sight.

It does take time especially this much change. Given they both love you and respond so well to you I would give this plenty of time, not a few days or a week or two. It is a process but given their personalities it should go fairly quickly. 

We'll help you along, just ask anything and we'll try to help. Thank you so much for adopting these two cats. It is so nice that they can now live in a loving home forever after.