Hooli

Hooli came to Artemis House under a different name: Heathcliff. It wasn't until later that we discovered Heathcliff was actually a girl. Apparently the previous owners had not known.

She had been living in a trailer, and we were warned before taking her that we would probably never see her because she spent all of her time hiding and being aggressive. But we also learned that she had reportedly been kicked by a member of the household. When she arrived, it was easy to understand why she wanted nothing to do with people.

Heathcliff was terrified. The slightest movement could trigger hissing, swatting, or an attack. We gave her a large, separate double-decker crate where she could have her own protected space and begin getting accustomed to her new surroundings without being overwhelmed. And given her rather savage attacks at the time, Heathcliff became Hooligan—Hooli for short.

Our caretaker Sofia began spending quiet time with her. She did not force interaction but simply sat with her, cared for her, and gave her the time she needed to learn that people could also mean food, comfort, gentleness, and safety.

Slowly, Hooli changed.

Today she is spayed and vaccinated and has graduated from her private quarters into the larger sanctuary group. She is still unmistakably Hooli, but now she comes up to us asking to be petted. She has also formed a friendship with Rascal, another rescue girl at Artemis House.

The cat we were told we would never see now comes looking for us.