One cold day in February, the patrons of a horse barn noticed a black cat who had suddenly shown up. The cat was aloof and quiet, running into a corner whenever anyone approached her, and freezing out of fear (and maybe the weather) when she was cornered and touched. Luckily for this black cat, an LCCR foster was a patron of this barn, and she reached out to other LCCR fosters who specialize in rehabilitating shy and skittish fosters, asking if this black cat could possibly land a spot with them to work with. Once they said yes, this black kitty was given the name Stirrup because of her horse barn origins, and she soon discovered life inside a home setting. Once she was with the foster who specializes in shy/skittish kitties, she was given some time to decompress. Which for Stirrup meant just claiming a cat bed inside a piece of cat furniture and watching her new world. Stirrup would indeed freeze and crouch away from friendly, petting hands, but she never once swatted or bit or growled, only a faint hiss. She stayed like that for a few days, and eventually started to explore her room once she knew it was safe. She was especially intrigued by the presence of the resident dog, as she really seemed to feel at ease around the dog, with a perked up tail and rubbing against the dog's legs. Stirrup found her way to the cat tree and windowsill, and really enjoyed making those her own. She grew accustomed to pets and learned how to head butt humans and purr. Her foster parents hear her meow for them when she knows they are approaching her room with food, which she eats gleefully! Stirrup really doesn't seem to like to be picked up like you would pick up a regular cat--it seems she doesn't like the feeling of hands around her belly. She will run from you. But her foster parents have learned that she can easily be scruffed, lifted up, and then a supporting hand put underneath her to carry her to a new location, and then putting her down gently and with a calm voice and pets. Stirrup's foster parents have also introduced her to other cats, whose presence doesn't really seem to bother her...unless the cat is too frisky, bossy, or in her face. She will hiss and want the cat to go away. But she is perfectly content to coexist with a cat in a home setting. Stirrup's foster parents know she will continue to thrive in a forever home, as long as her new owners continue to allow her the freedom and time to explore on her own. They will have gentle hands and will encourage her social side with feather wands and other toys. Don't expect Stirrup to be a lap cat or a lap-adjacent cat, but she will enjoy your presence from the same room and will welcome pets when you approach her. Her foster parents haven't been able to ascertain what she is like in a full house setting because the resident cats don't take too kindly to foster cats. But Stirrup doesn't seem to mind luxuriating in her small universe! Come and meet her! Stirrup is currently living in a foster home in New Cumberland and is estimated to have been born in February 2024. Her adoption donation is $115 and includes age-appropriate vaccines, dewormer, flea treatment, FIV/Felv testing, microchip, and spay. If you would like more information on Stirrup, please contact Ellyn at lovingcarecatrescue@gmail.com. If you would like to fill out an online application, please visit https://lovingcarecatrescue.org/adopt/adoption-application/ Please note: LCCR does not allow our adopted cats and kittens to be declawed. All adopted kitties are to be kept as indoor-only pets.