A cat left out on the street was taken into a home, where the resident cats helped him learn to trust.
Dilly and CalvinGreenpoint Cats
Dilly was once a bodega cat, but when the store closed, he was forced out of his home. He was later seen seeking refuge under cars and crying at the door of the closed bodega.
When two local animal rescuers heard about Dilly, they stepped in to help. They found him cowering under a car, too frightened to enter a carrier, so they set a humane trap and waited patiently until he was safely rescued.
Dilly was understandably shaken by the ordeal, but behind those fearful eyes was a gentle soul longing for love.
Greenpoint Cats
Greenpoint Cats took him in and provided a foster home where he could start socializing and rebuilding his confidence. Dilly showed signs of having been around humans as a kitten, but after being left to fend for himself, he became wary of people.
"Dilly (short for Dilemma) was probably born inside the bodega but received minimal human attention as he spent more and more time outdoors," Greenpoint Cats shared.
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He shied away from being petted and would run off whenever anyone came near. Genevieve, a volunteer with a soft spot for timid cats, opened her heart and her home to Dilly.
For a while, his ears stayed flattened back in "airplane mode" whenever he was around people.
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Genevieve made it her mission to win Dilly over. Noticing his love for food, she hoped it would be the key to his heart. Though still very shy, Dilly would watch his foster mom from a distance, especially around feeding time.
He would ask for seconds, even if he had just eaten an hour before. "He won't let me touch him, but he clearly likes me or at least my food," Genevieve shared.
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Meanwhile, Genevieve noticed something remarkable in the way Dilly responded to her resident cats, especially Calvin.
Dilly lit up at the sight of his feline friends. His tail rose, and his whiskers relaxed. He approached them with the gentlest snuggles, leaning in with lovey eyes as if seeking affection in return.
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Calvin welcomed Dilly with open paws, letting him share his space and curl up beside him for naps. Dilly melted into Calvin when he groomed him, finding comfort in his new friend. With the help of the resident cats, Dilly slowly learned to trust.
Finally, for the first time, Dilly accepted petting from his foster mom, but only while he was eating.
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Seeing the other cats interact with Genevieve reassured Dilly that she meant well. With Calvin by his side, he constantly sought out snuggles and gradually lowered his guard around his foster mom.
At one point, feeling completely relaxed, he rolled onto his back, subtly inviting his foster mom to give him a gentle pet.
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He scooted closer to Genevieve, his back wide open. But as soon as she snuck in a few pets, he pulled away in surprise, looking at her with wide eyes. He didn't run away this time, showing real progress.
Dilly loves his toys and plays until he tires out, then joins his feline pals for a group nap.
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"Thanks to a patient foster (and two friendly resident cats), Dilly is learning that people aren't (usually) so bad. We need more fosters who are willing to work with shy cats and kittens. It is a hugely rewarding experience and can truly save a life," Greenpoint Cats added
Recently, Dilly decided to let his foster mom pet him without needing a food bribe, and he even began to enjoy it.
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Dilly has come a long way since being rescued. From the moment he arrived, Genevieve recognized the gentle soul behind his shy exterior and knew he'd warm up to her someday.
Now, he's learning to enjoy being petted. He even purrs and slow-blinks affectionately at his foster mom.
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Share this story with your friends. More on Dilly on Instagram@itsthedailydilly and Greenpoint Cats @greenpoint_cats.
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