みそかの卒業 松尾 星太郎
元の飼い主さんが亡くなり、みそかがアークで保護されたのは2023 年の暮れの事でした。
当時から臆病な性格だったみそかは、人の気配を感じてはコタツの中に身を隠し、目をまん丸くして警戒の眼差しでこちらを見つめるだけの日々が長らく続いていました。おもちゃで触れ合おうとしても、迷惑そうに見つめるばかり。
そこで、フレンドリーな猫友を作れば良い刺激になるのではと試したところ、馴れ馴れしく近寄ってくる、見知らぬ新入り猫に対してみそかの反応は、「スタッフさん、正直とても迷惑です。」と、彼女の声が聞こえそうな程、露骨な嫌がり方をされ作戦は大失敗に終わりました。
結局みそかは1匹のまま、アークでの生活自体には徐々に慣れてくれてはいましたが、依然として私たちに心を許してはくれません。そんな中、みそかに転機が訪れます。昨年11月、以前からアークの里親をしていただいていたご家族が先住猫さんのお友達探しに来られたのです。先住猫さんがいる時点でみそかを紹介することに迷いはありましたが、直接みそかに会っていただき、みそかの性格やこれまでの経緯をありのままお伝えをしたところ、ご家族からみそかを迎えたいとお返事をいただきました。
アークでは譲渡先のお宅に先住の動物がいたり、性格が難しい等の場合に限り、譲渡可能かを判断していただくためにトライアル期間を設けており、みそかもトライアルを設けた上で新生活が始まりました。トライアル中、先住猫さんとの相性もまだこれからという頃、里親さんから「可愛い みそかをアークに戻す事はありません。」と、既に溺愛振りが伺える連絡をいただき、大変嬉しかったことを思い出します。そして今年1月、正式にみそかの譲渡が決定しました。
アークでのあの態度は何だったのかと思う程、みそかは先住猫さんのことが大好きなようで、一緒に寝たりグルーミングをしたりと仲良くやっているとのこと。里親さんにも頭突きスリスリをするなど、ご家族との絆も日々深めているようです。みそかの譲渡は私たちスタッフにとって嬉しい出来事だっただけでなく、そこから改めて学ぶこともありました。それは、アークで保護されている動物たちは、お世話をしている私たちには見せていない側面が必ずあり、環境次第では反応や態度も変化するため、一概にその子の性格を決めつけてはいけないという事です。毎日お世話をしていると、そんな当然のことを私たちは忘れがちになってしまいます。
みそかのアークでの暮らしだけを切り取れば、「人が苦手で猫も嫌いな子」。でも譲渡後のみそかはそうではなかった。どんな環境でもたくましく、常に陽気に振る舞ってくれる子もいますが、特に臆病で神経質な性格の子は、環境の変化による恐怖、他の動物の鳴き声や知らない人たちの声や姿など、様々な刺激に曝されストレスに耐えながら、みそかのように自分を押し殺してアークで暮らしている子も中にはいるということを私たちは再認識しなければなりません。そんな余裕もないみそかに、良かれと思ったスタッフ(筆者の私)が猫友を作ろうと、みそかにとっては有り難迷惑なことをしてくる始末。
やってみないとわからない部分も大いにありますが、アークで試した結果が全てではない事も理解しておく必要があります。アークで見せている姿がその子の全てではなく、あくまでも「アークの環境では」が前提にあり、性格を決めつけて譲渡のチャンスや可能性を狭めてはいけない。みそかの卒業は、アークスタッフにとって大切なことを改めて教えてくれました。
“Misoka’s graduation” Seitaro Matsuo
Misoka came to us at the end of 2023, after her owner sadly passed away. Since her arrival at the shelter, Misoka would shy away and hide in the kotatsu with no intention of interacting with people. We tried our best to play with her, hoping she would warm up to us, but our efforts were in vain: poor Misoka would stare at us with such fear and it would break our hearts.
It was at this moment we thought, “Perhaps a friendly cat friend would help bring Misoka out of her shell”! Excitedly, we introduced the two felines, in hopes of witnessing a beautiful friend- ship develop. After receiving a friendly approach from the other cat, it was at this moment Misoka turned to us with an irritated look on her face, as to say, “If I may be honest, this cat is a complete nuisance”. Suffice it to say, that was the end of that experiment! From that moment on, Misoka remained on her own and although she was getting used to life at ARK, we were not forgiven for our interference.
Little did she know that the following November, her life would change forever. A family who had previously adopted from ARK were looking for a feline friend for their own cat. The kind family were interested in being introduced to potential candidates how- ever knowing what Misoka experienced at ARK, we were hesitant to introduce her to the family. Nonetheless, we brought up our sweet Misoka who was still very scared and lonely. We were very candid and described Misoka’s personality and what she had gone through with the other cat and to our pleasant surprise, they wanted to meet her! The best moment followed, when the family turned around and said they’d like to take Misoka home.
At ARK, we offer on occasion a ‘trial period’. A trial period can occur for a couple reasons. Such as when an ARK animal is brought into a family with another animal living in the home. A trial period is vital to ensure the animals are truly compatible and can live together harmoniously. Another reason for a trial period may be when adopting out an animal with behavioural issues, to make sure both the animal and family are happy and it’s a good match.
In Misoka’s case, even before the cats had fully got to know each other, we received notice from the family saying; “We have no intention of returning cute Misoka back to the shelter”. We were beyond overjoyed!
It was this January, when the family officially adopted Misoka. Misoka and her new feline friend were inseparable and would sleep next to each other and even groom each other. She would also show her affectionate side, by sliding up against her new family members and asking for cuddles. Although we were incredibly happy for Misoka, we also learnt a valuable lesson. The animals in our care display only a portion of their personalities while in the shelter and it’s only when they really feel comfortable in their homes and environment, that they show us who they truly are. We should never judge a shelter dog or cat’s personality based on their behaviour, demeanor and body language while in the shelter because it can all change in a wonderful home environment.
Our perception of Misoka in the shelter was that of a cat who didn’t like people or other cats. That proved to be far from the truth.
We must take into consideration that cats have different personalities and may act differently in a shelter. While some may be out- going and friendly, others like Misoka may be timid and reclusive, but this can be due to so many factors. They may be sensitive to changes in environment, hear sounds or voices they have never heard before, and encounter various other stressors. While I may have good intentions at ARK by trying to play with Misoka, I was in fact more a nuisance to her.
While we need to try different tactics to learn more about our shelter animals, we cannot rely on what we only see at ARK. Environment plays a big part and we must give a chance to the animals who may not show, right off the bat, who they truly are. We’d like to take a moment to also thank Misoka for teaching us this valuable lesson.