Trust at first boop

At our Ten Lives Cat Centre program in Hobart, a meaningful moment of connection unfolded when new participant Ruby, had her very first interaction with Kava, a 13-year-old tabby known affectionately by HPHH volunteers as a bit of a ’grumpy old girl’. 

With this being Ruby’s very first session with Happy Paws Happy Hearts, and just 13 years old herself, she showed remarkable patience and understanding from the start.  

Rather than rushing in, Ruby quietly and calmy entered Kava’s kennel, sat low, avoided eye contact, and simply waited. To everyone’s surprise, Kava—whom others had struggled to coax out of her cat den—emerged straight away. Kava padded over to Ruby, sniffed her head, and offered a gentle head boop—a cat’s way of showing trust and comfort. She then curled in for pats and a quiet ‘conversation’ of purrs. 

It was a powerful affirmation for Ruby, whose calm and respectful approach reflected the skills she naturally brings into sessions, paired with her own experience with cats at home. It was also a turning point for Kava, who found a safe person in Ruby and will further help her socialisation while in care and promote adoptable behaviours.  

Update: Kava was adopted shortly after thier interaction!

Ruby in pen with Billy, another shelter cat