In September 2023, a curious and shy cat appeared near the fence of Share the Moon Animal Sanctuary. Courtney, one of the sanctuary’s caregivers, noticed the mysterious feline, who later became known as Oliver. At first, Oliver would come and go unpredictably—sometimes disappearing for weeks at a time—before returning. Over time, Oliver began showing up more regularly, especially for breakfast and dinner. By August 2024, his visits became a daily routine, and Courtney decided to take action to help him.
“I made an appointment through a cat rescue in our area to trap and neuter him,” she explained. On the day Oliver returned from the procedure, something unexpected happened: he let Courtney touch him for the very first time. “I couldn’t believe it,” she expressed in the video below. Despite her initial nervousness, their bond started to grow.
Not knowing much about cats, Courtney found herself amazed by Oliver’s progress. “When I put my hand down, he rubbed his head against me and stayed there, almost asking me to scratch his head,” she recalled. It had taken nearly a year, but Oliver had finally warmed up to her.
He soon made the back porch his home and rarely leaves. “Every time we open the door, he runs to us, purring and wanting to cuddle,” Courtney shared. Oliver, now playful and affectionate, even enjoys walks alongside the family dog. Initially thought to be feral, his behavior suggested otherwise. “He’s so clingy and needy for attention. We think he might have been dumped in the woods or left behind by someone who moved.”
Courtney and her team worked hard to make Oliver comfortable. He now has a self-heating bed with blankets outside the door, an insulated dog kennel for cold nights, and access to a heated garage via a cat door. Despite these comforts, Courtney still worries when he ventures off during the day. “But I call him, and he comes running and meowing,” she said.
Courtney has been trying to coax Oliver inside to no avail. She’s even tried other buildings within the sanctuary to see if Oliver is more comfortable there, but he feels safer outdoors. Courtney is hoping that will change very soon.
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Oliver’s life is now filled with love, stability, and comfort, which is a far cry from what it was before. Thank you, Courtney, for your patience and determination. Oliver is thriving each and every day because of you!