Faces of No-Kill: A just-right home for persnickety cat

Never has a pet matched their name quite like Goldilocks. Besides her golden orange fur, this curious cat with a storybook name likes things to be “just so.” Take being petted, for instance. Sometimes it’s too much. Sometimes it’s not enough. Sometimes it isn’t in the right spot. It would take several months, but someone would come along who was just right for Goldilocks.

Goldilocks came to the Best Friends Lifesaving Center in New York City from a shelter in Pennsylvania. At 4 years old, she already had some strong opinions about what she liked — and what she didn’t. While she was adored by staff and volunteers, Goldilocks could be, well, a bit of a bear.

Many potential adopters were drawn to Goldilocks, but her quirks made it hard to win them over. If someone approached too quickly or lingered too long (or if Goldilocks just wasn’t feeling the vibes), they would be met with a swipe of the paw. It was her way of saying “No, thank you.”

[Spicy cat’s ‘instruction manual’ helps her get adopted]

Goldilocks spent time in two different foster homes, where a calm environment and predictable routine allowed her to relax and show her softer side. She proved to be an independent, chatty, and playful companion with kitten-like bursts of energy. She even enjoyed affection and would ask for it by nudging her foster volunteer’s hand or making biscuits on their lap.

When Goldilocks was back at the pet adoption center, Best Friends volunteer Katie Clark started spending time with her. Katie looked beyond the swipes and sass and saw a cat with so much love to give. Simply put, she was enchanted. Katie decided to make it official and adopt Goldilocks.

Instead of a cottage in the woods, Goldilocks now lives in an apartment with all the comforts a picky cat could ask for. She has a special spot on the windowsill to keep an eye on everything, lickable treats that hit the spot like a yummy bowl of porridge, and a cozy bed that’s neither too hard nor too soft.

[Adopted cat lands a job and lives a life worthy of a storybook ending]

Every morning, Goldilocks greets Katie with a big meow, and every evening, she’s waiting for her at the door. Like her namesake, Goldilocks does get into mischief, but it’s the harmless kind (like getting into a bag of treats), not the illegal kind (like breaking and entering).

Goldilocks may have gotten her fairy-tale ending, but her story is just beginning.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.