Not all stray cats can easily transition to life with humans, but the inspiring tale of Potato shows that with the right care and opportunity, even the most feral feline can find a loving home. Potato was discovered at a rescue shelter, looking dejected and scared in his cramped enclosure. Facing the risk of euthanasia due to his aggressive nature, Potato’s fate seemed bleak until Grace, his savior, intervened.
Grace Choi, a cat lover and rescuer, has a knack for rehabilitating feral felines. She is the brains behind @thehappykittyrescue based in the bustling city of Los Angeles. When asked about her first meeting with Potato, she shared, “I stumbled upon a video of him at the shelter, and my heart shattered. He had been suffering for weeks, all alone in a cramped cage. It was as if he had given up hope.”
Potato had been unfairly branded as feral and hostile, with no other option but euthanasia. Little did they know, he was just a lost soul longing for love and security. He was wary of humans, a trait he had developed to protect himself out in the wild.
Potato was in desperate need of help and Grace was his last hope. Despite being labeled as untouchable and aggressive by the shelter staff, Grace saw potential in him. She remembered being told that he was fractious and scared, not aggressive, when he first arrived at the shelter. With a spark of hope, she decided to take a chance on him.
Taking Potato in was the start of his journey towards a better life. At first, he was terrified and withdrawn, often hiding in a corner of his cage. But with Grace’s patience and care, his transformation began slowly.
Thankfully, he had a compassionate and supportive individual beside him. Slowly but surely, he began to acclimate to the presence of Grace and his unfamiliar environment. She shared: “Potato used to be so afraid of me… always hiding, growling, and hissing. But one day, he realized I wasn’t so bad after all. Maybe it was my singing? I truly believe that music can bring healing and convey love.” With each passing day, Potato became more at ease and content around Grace. And then, unexpectedly, he made a bold move by approaching her confidently, meowing and seeking affectionate pets.
Grace was amazed by the turn of events but happily went along with it. However, Potato surprised her by scratching her finger, leaving her puzzled. She humorously shared on her Instagram: “This moment was one of the most heartwarming and surreal experiences of my life… until it took a unexpected turn. Maybe he’s just playing hard to get. Despite how things ended, the fact that he was asking for pets completely blew my mind. Internally, I was freaking out. I am overjoyed and so proud of Potato! We still have some work to do… he clearly doesn’t fully trust me.”
After four months of Grace’s dedicated care and hard work, Potato was a changed cat. In a short span of four months, he transitioned from a traumatized, aggressive feral cat into a loving, playful kitty who craved affection.
Grace shared her approach to helping Potato, stating that being confident and staying calm were crucial to her success. She mentioned how she observed Potato’s body language and learned that he easily becomes overstimulated. Despite initial doubts about his ability to trust humans, Potato now has a bright future ahead after being saved from the brink of death.
Source: @good_life_potato
Currently, he resides in Los Angeles with four human companions and four feline buddies, living a life he never thought possible.
If you’re skeptical, take a peek at Potato’s Instagram page to witness his amazing makeover and observe how he’s flourishing, all thanks to Grace!