Ben Madilynn
A senior rescue cat named Theodore has captured the hearts of millions of viewers online with his unique behavior at a Colorado shelter.
The viral video, which was shared to TikTok on September 28 by Cat Care Society (@catcaresociety), shows the 9-year-old feline hiding under his small round bed, leaving viewers smiling at his resemblance to a turtle due to the makeshift shell he had unknowingly created. The video has been viewed more than 1.4 million times and has introduced a new audience to the rescue animal’s touching backstory and timid temperament.
Ariana Jenks, who works in marketing at the private, nonprofit organization founded in 1981, spoke to Newsweek about its mission to improve the quality of life for cats in need in the Denver, Colorado metro area.
“Our unique approach views all cats as worthy, regardless of their age or abilities,” Jenks told Newsweek. “Our shelter is free-roaming, meaning cages are only used when medically necessary; our cats enjoy plenty of space to roam, play, and lounge.
“We even have outdoor ‘catios’ they use when weather permits!”
@catcaresociety
Theodore, the star of a viral video posted by shelter staff, was recently surrendered to the shelter due to sporadic house-soiling issues triggered by environmental changes.
“Theodore came to us on September 27, so he’s only been with us for a short time,” Jenks said. “According to his surrender paperwork, his fear is ‘leaving any space he is comfortable in,’ which we think is why he wound up taking comfort under a bed that was in the main hallway.”
Despite his shy demeanor and tendency to hide under the bed, shelter workers quickly discovered that Theodore has a soft spot for chin scratches.
“When lifting up the bed and approaching him slowly, we found he was definitely a fan of chin scratches,” Jenks said. “We are still working on getting him to ‘come out of his shell,’ which can sometimes take some time, especially in a new environment.”
The video shows Theodore moving under his bed like a turtle carrying its shell and has gained significant attention online. Over 500 viewers have gushed over the feline by leaving positive messages in the comments section.
“As soon as Theodore was released to the floor on September 28, he immediately took comfort under his bed,” Jenks said. “Our Animal Care Supervisor, Michelle, noticed he was under there early the next morning as she was doing her daily cleaning and realized the bed was migrating everywhere!”
The shelter’s free-roam environment allows for unique adjustment periods for more timid cats like Theodore. A note was placed on his bed to prevent any accidents and to ensure visitors wouldn’t step or sit on him.
“He is currently on medical hold while we await some tests, but should be up for adoption soon,” Jenks said.
“He’s definitely become an employee favorite!”
The cat’s story has resonated with many TikTok users, who have expressed their love and encouragement in finding him a future home.
“Petition to make sure Theodore gets to take his emotional support bean bag chair with him to his forever home,” one viewer said.
Another added: “Theodore is so adorable! I love his antics and the note.”
“The outpouring of love and encouragement in finding his future home from TikTok has been amazing,” Jenks said. “We never expected this video to get so much attention!”
The shelter has since made follow-up videos on TikTok, showcasing Theodore’s growing bravery each day. The initial post had been captioned: “Theodore is still adjusting but, we love him.”
“We are still learning Theodore’s quirks, but with patience and love, we are optimistic that he will fully come out of his shell,” Jenks said.
The Cat Care Society’s approach to caring for all cats, regardless of their age or quirks, highlights the importance of creating a supportive and nurturing environment.
As he continues to adjust, shelter staff and new fans online hope that Theodore will soon find a loving forever home where he can flourish and grow in confidence.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
