Cat Hides Her Face After Being Returned to the Shelter — Until Someone Shows Her She’s Safe Again

In 2020, a gentle 2-year-old cat named Shelly left NAWS Humane Society in an adoption box, headed for what everyone believed would be her forever home. Staff and volunteers celebrated, certain they’d never see her again.

Five years later, Shelly came back.

Her family returned to the shelter — this time to surrender her.

“Unfortunately, due to reasons outside of Shelly’s control, she wound up back at the shelter here with us,” NAWS director Fran Grzesik told The Dodo.

The moment hit especially hard for the staff.
“She was returned in the same adoption box she was adopted out in,” Grzesik said.

Back inside the shelter, Shelly was completely overwhelmed. The sudden noise, unfamiliar smells, and constant activity were a far cry from the quiet home she’d known for years. Terrified, she hid behind her litter box, shrinking away from touch.

“She would barely let us near her,” Grzesik said. When picked up, Shelly pressed her face into Grzesik’s arms, as if trying to disappear.

@frangrzesik

Shelly truly is such a sweet little girl who is so beyond deserving of love. Shelly is around 7 years old and so gentle and kind. These videos were taken the second day she arrived with us. Shelly truly doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. If you are interested in adopting Shelly please submit an adoption application at nawsus.org. If you have any questions about her please feel free to message me. I’m sending you all so much love, let’s get Shelly back into a loving home. 🥹🤍🫂 #adopt #cat #catsoftiktok #kitten #catlover

♬ come into my arms cover – kaylagc._

“All Shelly wants to do is disappear — and go back to her previous life,” Grzesik shared on TikTok. “A life that was full of love.”

But patience changes everything.

Slowly, Shelly began to understand she was safe. She allowed gentle pets, then leaned into them. Before long, she was nuzzling Grzesik’s hand, quietly asking for comfort.

“She is extremely sweet and so loving,” Grzesik said. “Once she trusts you, she becomes deeply attached.”

@frangrzesik

If you have submitted an adoption application for Shelly or inquired about her by messaging me… Thank you SO much. The outpouring of love Shelly received has been so wonderful. Please be patient with a response time as I’m trying to respond to everyone 🥹🫂🤍 I work full time at the animal rescue but respond to inquiries from this account on my off time so I truly appreciate all of your patience. 😭 Shelly will be on her way to her forever home once she is cleared by the doctors. I’m sending you guys all of my love, thank you for sharing Shelly’s story. Once she is adopted I will post another update. 🥹🫂🤍 #adopt #catsoftiktok #adoptdontshop #kitten #cat

♬ light blue linen – Them & I

At 7 years old, staff worried Shelly might struggle to find a new home. Instead, as her personality emerged, applications poured in. The team carefully reviewed each one, determined to find the right match for a cat who had already lost so much.

Just weeks after her return, Shelly found her person — a woman named Natalie.

Now settled into her true forever home, Shelly spends her days soaking up cuddles and healing, including treatment for her weepy eye. She’s decompressing at last, surrounded by love once again.

Grzesik is grateful she could be there for Shelly when she needed comfort the most — and proud that NAWS Humane Society helped guide her to the happy ending she deserved.

To support cats like Shelly, consider donating to NAWS Humane Society.