An orange tabby had been living in an unkempt yard, taking refuge among the clutter. He had survived several winters in the neighborhood, blending into the landscape and the pile of trash.

When the cold became unbearable, he would shield himself with broken furniture, seeking warmth. Living off scraps left for local strays, “he remained a loner, always elusive,” Celine Crom of Chatons Orphelins Montreal shared with Love Meow.

One day, a Good Samaritan, Veronique, noticed the cat had an “injured eye” and reached out to the rescue community for help.

Jess, an animal rescuer, responded immediately to the call. They set up a humane trap with food, and before long, the cat, too hungry to resist, walked right in. “The cat was frightened and wouldn’t let anyone near him, but he was finally safe and spent his first night in warmth.”

They lovingly named the tabby “Sherlok,” and his days of roaming the streets and enduring the bitter cold finally came to an end.

“Sherlok, who is FIV+, has a white spot in his left eye from an old injury he got while living as a stray. He stayed with his rescuer (Jess), where he was warm and well-fed, though he remained very timid and hid for a long time.”

For weeks, he would hiss and swat whenever Jess tried to get close, but she never gave up on him.

Over time, she realized he was hard of hearing and, hence, easily startled. She tried a gentler approach to socializing him, gradually showing him that humans could be trusted. It took some time, but he slowly began to come out of his shell.

Jess worked patiently and diligently to gain his trust, all while searching for a rescue group that could provide him with the care he needed.

Celine and her team at Chatons Orphelins Montreal welcomed Sherlok into their rescue and arranged a foster home for the deserving boy.

“He allowed the vet to examine him even though his heart was beating out of his chest. One of his eyes has an old wound (that has healed, leaving a cloudy patch of scar tissue), but he can see perfectly well with the other eye.”

“His hearing appears to be very limited. After treating him for a mild upper respiratory infection, he started his new journey in his foster home, where he would be loved and pampered.”

Sherlok was estimated to be seven years old. His life had been about avoiding people, but for the first time, he learned to embrace and enjoy human affection.

He began to enjoy his new life as an indoor catChatonsOrphelinsMontreal

“After all the time alone and injured outside, he is finally on the other side of the window.”

Once he adjusted to his new abode, his beautiful personality began to shine. Each day, he inched closer to his foster parents until he was right beside them. Eventually, he rested his paws on their laps, snuggled close, and drifted off to sleep.

He let his guard down and turned into a lap catChatonsOrphelinsMontreal

The fear in his eyes has faded away, replaced by the most serene look. He has blossomed into a full-time lap cat, always eager to snooze on his humans.

For many years, he only knew how to protect himself from danger. Now that he no longer has to worry about food and shelter, he can relax and be himself. The true cuddle bug within him, which had been dormant all these years, is now in full bloom.

He wants to be on his humans’ laps all the timeChatonsOrphelinsMontreal

“Sherlok thrives on tenderness and love. He’s thankful for his new life, where he feels safe and warm.”

He’s made a complete turnaround from a timid cat hiding among the clutter and fighting for survival to a cuddly teddy bear basking in all the love and attention from his humans.

He has blossomed into a teddy bear, eager for attention and cuddlesChatonsOrphelinsMontreal

Sherlok is ready to be the heart of a loving home where he will be cherished and worry-free for the rest of his life.