I want to share a story from a recent event that took place at our shelter. I think positive social media experiences let alone positive shelter experiences are far and few between. Luckily this is one of those stories that make social media and working at the shelter well worth it.
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Wanted to share a little of Willa's story
Willa slipped out the door the morning of January 27th, just 3 days after I moved into my new house. She wasn't handling the move very well, so at first I thought she was just hiding somewhere in the house all day. But by that night, I knew she was gone.
Brian and I spent hours searching those first few days. After 4 days, I made flyers, stuffed them into all my neighbors' mailboxes, laminated more flyers, and put them up around my neighborhood and the surrounding ones too.
One silver lining in all of this was getting to meet so many of my new neighbors. Everyone was incredibly kind and gracious, and several people helped me search for weeks.
But after the weather dipped below freezing, I started getting scared. Even though Willa is strong-willed and stubborn, I didn't know how she would survive out there.
At the same time, life kept moving fast. I had just started a new job 3 weeks earlier, moved houses, and then immediately jumped into Mardi Gras season. Still, I searched everywhere and posted anywhere I could think of.
As the months passed, my hope slowly started fading. I eventually turned off notifications on my missing pet posts because I couldn't keep getting my hopes up every time someone thought they spotted her.
Yesterday, I opened TikTok, and the very first video on my feed was a post showcasing adoptable cats at the
Baldwin Humane Society. The second I saw her, my heart dropped and I started shaking.
It was already after 4:00, when they close, so I immediately started messaging every social media account they had. Thankfully, someone responded on Facebook. After a few messages and sending photos, they let me come by after hours.
She was hiding inside a cat tower. I said her name, and she slowly poked her head out. Then I asked, "Do you want a treat?"
Honestly, Willa would do just about anything for whipped cream.
That was enough to get her fully out of hiding, meowing and sniffing my hand before curling into it and nuzzling me.
I knew it was her instantly. But at the same time, this tiny part of my brain kept thinking, "It's been over 3 months… what if it isn't?"
Then they told me she barely came out for anyone and hadn't meowed at them once.
One more look, and I knew. She was finally back.
Somehow, her little adventure took her 15 minutes away to Westminster Village, a retirement community. One of the residents slowly gained her trust and eventually brought her to the Humane Society. They had been taking care of her for the last month and said she stayed shy and uninterested in all the prospective adopters.
I just smiled thinking… she was waiting for me.
She lost 5 pounds during her adventure, but with a few extra treats a day, I think we'll get her back to her old self pretty quickly.
I cannot thank the society for reuniting and especially to Ken, for befriending my baby and making sure that she wasn't on the streets anymore.
Ps. I originally adopted Willa because she reminded me of my cat that I had growing up named Shadow. The society gave Willa the name Shadow! How much more perfect could that be?!"
#ReturntoHome(LostPetReunification)------------------------------
Shelby Dye
Executive Director
Baldwin Humane Society
AL
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