Monty came, along with several others, into our care from a very negligent situation at the end of April, and he was absolutely terrified. A kitten (Meryll - see her post) was caught at the same time but the kitten, like Avril, wasn't nearly so scared. Three of the cats caught a week or so earlier in the same place were pregnant and, because we were really struggling for space, were already sharing a shelter with their pals I decide to put Monty and Meryll into one pen together. At the time I did think they might be mother and kitten, but I obviously got that one kinda wrong: Monty wasn't huddled in a corner with the kitten trying to be protective, the big softy was trying to use the kitten as a shield! Anyway, poor Monty really was a worried boy. Not in the least bit aggressive, and none of these cats are, he was just so scared of people that he would hiss at me before backing as far away from me as possible and, being so frightened, he wouldn't leave the sleeping quarters in his shelter to use the litter tray and for a time he wet his beds. Let me tell you about how Monty is now. His lovely white fur, once orange through malnourishment and dirty as a result of having no energy other than what it took to just survive, is now kept sparkling clean. Wetting his bed stopped after the fear of leaving his sleeping area subsided and he stopped hissing at me some weeks ago, having decided I could be trusted not to harm him. He now enjoys a nice firm back massage when having his dinner and just last week I had the joy of being trusted with a head to head butt. Joy? I was in tears! Monty is an absolutely delightful boy, finally enjoying rather than simply enduring life. At around 3 or 4 years old, although he may be even younger, he's finally enjoying the carefree 'kittenhood' he had been denied as he batters his toys around his open area. I would just love to see Monty go to a domestic home but anyone considering him would have to understand that it would take time for him to adjust to another change. He won't ever revert to the terrified boy he once was, but he will be shy and will want to hide away for a time until he got the message that these humans are kind and would never harm him. I've already turned down a very good outdoor-only home for Monty because his lovely personality has shown me that all he needs to become well settled in a domestic home is the right people with the patience to see him through a period of shyness. Once well settled, access to the outdoors away from busy roads would be an absolute must for a boy who wants to explore, but have a cosy home and a loving family to return to. He's neutered now, of course, had all his vaccinations, been microchipped and ready for the next chapter in his life. I should mention that Monty shows no aggression at all towards other cats and does see the two dogs here wander around the garden, so could possibly be homed where there are other animals willing to accept him.