How Hush Got Back on the Saddle and Into a Happy Home

In February 2023, an overburdened cat owner surrendered 9 cats into the care of the ASPCA. Our Community Engagement team in New York City helped transfer these cats to the ASPCA Adoption Center, where they would get the medical attention they needed and eventually find loving homes.

 One of these cats was a handsome, 4-year-old boy named Saddle. He stood out from the rest thanks to his unique paws. Saddle is a polydactyl cat, which means he was born with extra toes. As with many cats who come from crowded homes, he was also initially quite shy.

“You'd open his condo and see a void of black fur and two yellow eyes staring right back at you,” says Olivia D’Amico, ASPCA Social Media Coordinator, who was an Admissions & Placement Specialist at the time.

Thanks to the dedicated work of the Adoption Center’s staff, Saddle became more familiar with his visitors over time. Soon enough, he began to enjoy getting gentle pets, leaning right in and softly purring. He would also stretch out his legs to show off his adorable extra toes! It didn’t take long for him to become staff and volunteer favorite, and he enjoyed getting lots of love and attention.

Waiting for the Purr-fect Match

Saddle found his first adoptive home a few months later, but through no fault of his own, he was returned to our care in April 2024. He was also in need of dental care, and a few weeks later he received 14 tooth extractions at the ASPCA Animal Hospital.

Despite these setbacks, Saddle continued to show off his loving nature to the close friends he made at the Adoption Center. Whenever Olivia took a break from work, she enjoyed going to Saddle's condo to enjoy some gentle, peaceful interaction. When she visited him, he would initially move locations, but once she opened his door, he would happily sniff her hand and accept some pets. He showed his relaxation by expertly making biscuits with his paws as he enjoyed her company.

“I was excited about how readily Saddle accepted love, despite his constant bouncing around,” Olivia says.

Saddle was also still shy around new faces, which was a challenge when meeting potential adopters. The staff knew him as a social, affiliative cat who just needed a moment to warm up, but he wouldn’t necessarily show off his full personality when multiple new people were around.

“A lot of people were looking for a cat who would run right up to them and ‘choose them,’” Olivia says. In Saddle’s case, he would initially retreat and ask for people to come to him instead, so many people didn’t give him the chance that he needed to reveal the gentle lovebug he was described as.

Getting His Second Chance

Saddle’s luck would soon change that August, when Robin I. came to the Adoption Center. Robin had recently lost her former cat, and she was hoping to meet a new furry companion. She was especially interested in an older cat who deserved a second chance.

When Robin met with an Admissions & Placement Specialist, Saddle came up as a recommendation.

“Boy, did she make a great match!” Robin says. “When our eyes met, it was great warmth at first sight, which has become a deep love.”

Robin could tell Saddle was initially nervous, but he let her sit with him, and she could hear him purring. She didn’t need to see any other animals during her visit because she knew she and Saddle would do well together. She asked for a 24-hour hold to give the adoption deep consideration.

“Overnight, I thought about his beautiful eyes, and I was sure by morning,” Robin says. “He was home with me by midafternoon.”

A True Lap Cat

After bringing Saddle home, Robin gave him the fitting name of Hush, or Hush Puppy. As expected, Hush was shy at first in his new surroundings, but Robin let him come out at his own speed.

“By the third day he had decided he was in the right place,” Robin says. “I like to say he was a cat looking for a lap, and I had a lap looking for a cat to warm it.”

Now that he has fully settled in, Robin says that Hush has changed her life. He not only helped make her house a home, but he also helped guide her through the grief of losing her previous cat. These days, they enjoy sharing every day with affection, trust and love.

There are many cats like Hush waiting to be adopted in animal shelters across the country. Many just need some time to blossom and show off the wonderful personalities they have inside. Robin and Hush are proof of what can happen with understanding and patience.

“For anyone looking to adopt, go slow, think it through, but do it,” Robin says. “The ASPCA can match you with the next great love of your life!”