When looking for a pet to adopt, I would describe the personality or the pet I wanted to the shelter workers. My last rescue cat taught me that it’s not a fair assumption to go off an animals first impression and we should consider the trauma they’ve gone though.
This is my 4 year old boy that was rescued at 7 months ached being found very sickly on the streets. We’re not sure if his backstory, but he had (and still somewhat has) an instinctual fear of trash bags which is heartbreaking to consider.
He’s very much an example of being patient with rescues or foster animals - he was always very sweet but initially avoided touch (would slouch under being petted, liked to sit in the same room but never within an arms reach.) Even brushing was too overstimulating for him until about year two.
Please remember that pets take time to warm up ❤️ within this past year (about 3 years after his adoption) we are so bonded! He snuggles around my head at night or likes to be laying against my legs. He’s my little shadow during the day and is even obsessed with our groomer brush (basically a vacuum with a brush attachment for pets. Crazy because he used to be scared of a regular comb!)
The 333 rule of adoption is usually standard, but I’d argue it could be 3333. Three days of staying in a safe confined location after adoption (like a bathroom), three weeks for them to get accustomed to the new place, three months to get close to you, and then three years to be totally and completely bonded and safe.
Animals go through trauma also, they need space to feel comfortable ❤️