Parade Pets and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.

Many dogs and cats experience stress and anxiety in a shelter environment. The trauma of abandonment, as well as the uncertainty of their future, causes fear in these fur babies. Add the chaotic and noisy surroundings, and these stray animals often shut down or lash out under the pressure.

Jax is a black-and-white cat who appeared to have anger issues when he was placed in a shelter. The frightened feline let his real personality show once someone gave him the love he needed.

The TikTok from @jaxwithatwist told the pretty kitty’s story, where he was misunderstood at the shelter.

“No one wanted this cat,” the onscreen text explained. “The shelter said he was ‘too mean’ and planned to release him back to the streets.”

The next clip showed Jax nestled into his new mom’s shoulder, where he camped out for the entire day right after she adopted him.

“His first full day home from the shelter with us, he didn’t want to leave my side,” the caption shared. “At first, I was like, aww, so cute, but then my heart started to break seeing the exhaustion in his eyes and the sadness.”

Jax’s mom realized the troubled cat was traumatized and worn out. She snuggled with him all day while letting him know he was home for good.

“As the day went on, I could see him slowly relax, although still unsure,” the story continued. “I kept reassuring him he was home now and safe forever.”

Jax Now Gets ‘Endless Cuddles’

The former shelter cat must have immediately sensed he was safe, thanks to his mom’s comfort and compassion. Jax transformed into a total love bug now that he had his forever family.

Related: Rescued Black Labrador Tries to Bring Stray Cat His Toys After Falling Instantly in Love

“He was labeled ‘feral’ and ‘too mean’, but all he really wanted was warmth, safety, and love,” the caption read. “I’m so glad we found him and in time. Here’s to a lifetime of love, safety, and endless cuddles with our sweet Jax.”

🐶SIGN UP to get “pawsitivity” delivered right to your inbox with nspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends🐾🐾

This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Mar 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.