Primrose needs a specific type of adopter who has the patience and understanding to provide the proper home for her, as well as accept that it needs to be on her terms. Primrose has come a very long way, and in many ways, she is a typical cat now. However, Primrose will need a while to decompress and adjust. If you’re looking for an “easy adoption,” please check out the bios of other cats. If you truly understand that some cats are just a bit different, please keep reading.

From Primrose’s foster: Primrose was probably abused in her past life, and she was originally so “hand shy” that any hand movement would make her hide and cower. I originally could not approach her standing up, but I can now. I can even pick her up and hug her, which was not always the case. She is afraid of new people and changes to her environment. She came to me completely shut down by fear, right out of the hospital. She had to continue her recovery from panleuk and an upper respiratory infection in a new place with a complete stranger (me). It took weeks before she would even make eye contact with me. It was truly heartbreaking. She needs someone who understands that it could take a few weeks or months before she will even allow a new person to touch her, and she is far more afraid of men than women.

After a few weeks with me, and keeping Primrose in my home office while I work, Primrose became my friend, and every day she makes more progress. After months with me, she has become a wonderful “coworker” who sits with me and appreciates getting her head rubbed and her butt scratched. She does not like to have her nails to be cut. She’ll probably always have to go to the vet for nail trims, and she will probably always need gabapentin or some other sedation/calming med to go to the vet. She is not aggressive, she just shuts down when she is afraid. Primrose was even terrified of the TV when she came to me, but now she sits on me and watches General Hospital and Cubs games with me. She has become a very happy lap cat. Primrose loves both dry and wet food. She is very snack motivated, and the best way to become her friend is with Churu treats. She purrs very loudly when she’s happy, and she loves looking out the window. She loves to play with me with string toys, and she also plays with other toys on her own. When she’s ready for a snack, she has talks to me with this adorable, raspy meow.

Primrose would do very well in a small, quiet environment, like an apartment with just one human. Her environment should not change often. It overwhelms her. We went away for a weekend, and Primrose did not panic when our cat sitter went into Primrose’s room, gave her fresh food and water, and scooped her litter box, she just kept her distance.  We went on a longer trip, and she went to another foster’s house for the 2 ½ weeks we were gone. Primrose hated it, and she was very happy to come back home after my trip. Since then, she has remained in my home and cared for by my cat sitter when I go anywhere. She would not do well with children or a busy household. Primrose has met our resident cats through a gate, and she does not like them. In fairness, they don't like her and will instigate through the gate. She should be an only pet.

Bottom line is that Primrose needs someone who understands that she must have suffered some awful emotional trauma, and it’s taking her a long time to recover from it. She may always be skittish. She will probably never be outgoing with strangers, but she will be a fantastic companion to someone who can give her time and not force her to become someone other than the sweet, shy, kinda scared kitty who has been a delightful temporary resident of her foster home.  Primrose has enjoyed exploring more of her foster home while the resident cats are in a different area of the house. Primrose's perfect human will accept her quirks and love her as much as I have grown to, while letting Primrose blossom at her own pace. If you let her settle into your life on her terms, she will eventually return your love. Primrose is featured regularly on my Instagram page @gloriawarshaw. If you think you might be Primrose’s forever person, please apply to meet her at arf-il.org. That first meeting won’t go well. She’ll be afraid of you, which is why it helps to see the pics and videos I post on my Instagram page.

Primrose  is micro-chipped, up to date on all vaccinations,  spayed, and litter box trained.

Her adoption fee is $135.  If you are interested in meeting  Primrose, please fill out our Online Application today!  

Once your application has been approved, an ARF volunteer will be able to contact you to arrange a meeting.