Pet Haven's Wallflowers Program: Where Pets Bloom!

 

 

When Xiao Mao arrived at Pet Haven last weekend, we could hardly believe her story: a stowaway on a cargo ship all the way from China, discovered after three weeks at sea—emaciated, dehydrated, and utterly terrified.

 

 

When her ship docked in Minnesota, she was clinging to life. She had no food, no water, and no light, just pure survival instinct. She originally went to one of our shelter partners who called us right away–and once we heard her story, we immediately said yes.

 

She’s a miracle. And now, she’s safe.

 

Xiao Mao has entered our Wallflower Program—a healing, heart-led initiative designed especially for cats like her: the shy, the shut down, the survivors. Through time, patience, behavioral support, and lots of love, our Wallflowers slowly open up and blossom into adoptable companions.

She’s got a long road ahead. But we’ll be with her every step of the way.

And, she’s not alone.

 

Last year, we welcomed 27 feral cats from a hoarding case in Bloomington. They arrived through animal control—untouchable, shut down, and traumatized. Most were never handled by humans. Many were born in filth and isolation. All of them were terrified.

So, they entered our Wallflower Program—and little by little, they learned to trust. With time, loving foster homes, homes, enrichment, and behavior rehabilitation, they started to soften. They came out from under beds. They approached for treats. And then it happened: they started to purr.

 

Today? All 27 are in loving homes.

The Wallflower Program is just one of the many ways Pet Haven takes in the animals no one else will. The ones who need more—more time, more care, more patience, and more heart.

Cats like Xiao Mao deserve that time to bloom. Consider a gift to the Wallflowers program and help a pet bloom!