Paprika the cat can’t believe her good fortune. It’s almost like she’s found a new favorite treat, except this is so much better. She has discovered what it’s like to be on the receiving end of a back scratch. And now she’ll never be the same!

For anybody familiar with Paprika, this new outlook on life is kinda different for her. Something like the before and after when Ebenezer Scrooge spent an evening with some meddling ghosts.

Putting it gently, Paprika was a rather … spirited gal. She’s from Best Friends’ Great Kitty Rescue in Pahrump, Nevada. This girl had lived through who-knows-what and she was clear about one thing: People were not her friends. Not by a long shot. For months, her caregivers had to feed her using a welding glove and grab stick for holding the food dish. (Paprika lived in a space all her own, because she also didn’t much care for other cats!)

She was not content to cast glares from a distance, either. No, she’d lunge at anybody who came close enough. She’d been let down before, so she wasn’t about to sit still and trust people. Sound like prime college material? You bet! Paprika’s turn came up for admission to Best Friends’ Miss Sherry’s Finishing School for Felines. No cat is too grouchy or too scared or too anything else to enter this fine establishment for higher learning. A true equal-opportunity education system. And Paprika has risen through the ranks with the best of them.

She was making progress at her own pace (slowly!), which is OK with the caregivers. These cats have been through enough. Using all their tricks and techniques, however, the caregivers were finally able to convince Paprika that not all people are mortal enemies. Things were coming along nice and steady, until The Day, one magical day that changed Paprika’s life forever. On The Day, she let somebody pet her for the first time.

Holy cow! It was like a floodlight switched on inside her brain. "What the.… What have I been missing all this time?!" She arched her body into the petting, and ever since then has been a new cat. Now, in fact, she’s nothing but a lap cat trying to make up for lost time. Anybody want to spend an afternoon with a reformed bad girl? She promises to love you forever!

Story by David Dickson
Photo by Sarah Ause

To learn more about Paprika, please contact our cat adoption staff.

All of the work of Best Friends is made possible through your generous support.

October 13, 2008 : 3:07 AM ET
posted by: PennyEvie

She is beautiful. Again, thank you to you wonderful Caregivers.

August 22, 2008 : 8:25 AM ET
posted by: mytwocats

wow!!!Everytime i see her she gets preattier and preattier!!!How is she with other cats????I would love to have her but i live in north dakota with two cats!!!I just think that her markings are beautiful and she IS a very special girl who deserves a home of her own with someone to love her and give her the kind of life she deserves after all the stuff she went through.I'm glad she doing well.lori

August 19, 2008 : 9:43 PM ET
posted by: bigboy

I'm sooo happy to know that Paprika is ready for adoption!~! I took care of her while volunteering in March and she was still very hostile. In fact, I was there when she was allowed to leave the small cage she was in and interact with the other cats. Thanks Barbara for your notes about feral and frightened cats. The TNR program is very important but this "school" is doing wonders with cats who need to be socialized. Thank You Best Friends for caring for these furry friends and making them ready for "forever" homes. Milli

August 14, 2008 : 3:10 AM ET
posted by: mamalinda

What a beautiful story. It's amazing what patience and love can accomplish.

August 10, 2008 : 4:18 PM ET
posted by: mytwocats

wow,i'm soo glad that she's going to make it!!!i STILL think that she is,without a question,the most beautiful calico cat that iv'e ever seen,and if i could,i'd give her a home!She deserves it!!!mytwocats

August 6, 2008 : 12:38 PM ET
posted by: veganmarcy

as someone who's done her share of TNA (trap-neuter-adopt [or foster]) of ferals and abused outdoor cats, as well as who has been involved with trying to educate community members about the benfits of pet sterilization and vaccinations, i am very aware of both arguments for TNA and TNR and also don't see them as incompatible. In my mind, it's always an issue of triage. You deal with the most pressing issues right away (injured animals, ones needing sterilization/vaccines) and then do whatever TNA is possible with the resources you and your friends have at the time. point being, now there is more resources and more support for TNA and in general for socializing cats who would be put down at shelters (including ones who are dumped there and therefore wouldn't be TNR'd anyhow)...for those who are willing to try it. Basically, you do the bets with the options you have at the time. TNR in general, but TNA whenever possible, and always have the best support network and info you can. we're all just trying to help break the cycle of rampant breeding without the cruelties of poisons and kill traps. if some folks want to specialize, say in TNR, they can be in contact with TNA folks for at least some of their cases. If a TNAer gets overwhelmed, they might need the help of a TNR person in their area. We can work together, and do. There is no fight here.

August 4, 2008 : 5:44 PM ET
posted by: skya

I absolutely agree. I foster terrified and possibly feral kittens and have also participated in the "N" part of TNR. Both are necessary for the well being of cats. But yes, I would like to see as much effort put into cats as there is into dogs (not at BF! You already do that!)

If I may quote the Buddha:

"In controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for truth, and have begun striving for ourselves."

PEACE!!!!! >^..^<

August 4, 2008 : 2:16 PM ET
posted by: Mamakitty2

Yes Corrine and Barb, I couldn't agree more that TNR and Miss Sherry's Finishing School are BOTH viable and important programs that have their place!! I raise my bandaged hand and say we need to continue to be open minded about all programs and processes to help as many cats and dogs as we can. It's not really about "choosing" one over the other.

It is about helping them have the best quality of life possible, one cat or dog at a time... Let's not lose sight of the objective with our human squabbling over who is right and who is wrong. We must avoid the dreaded "mission drift" that always occurs when people start debating and the emotions start flowing.

August 4, 2008 : 1:46 PM ET
posted by: chatelaa

I'm reminded of my own kitty, Joule! When I first got her, someone else had owned her and had to give her up (complicated story and not for here), so I took her in. Joule was so afraid being in new surroundings those first few days. Well, weeks, actually. She became an electrified kitty (with her hair standing up on end) with her ears back and hissed and spitted at me whenever I came within 6 feet of her. I had to slide her food across the wooden floor like I was playing suffle-board. Eventually, she calmed down and now she's the sweetest cat I've ever had. She even plops down to do her Yoga with me every night. Poor baby. She was just scared!!! Just like little Paprika!!!