🐾 Biscuit — learning to trust, one tiny step at a time

11th September 2026

Biscuit is proving to be quite a different journey from BB and Tabitha.

Those two have made their feelings about humans fairly clear. BB now practically throws himself at me for attention, and Tabitha has discovered that being stroked, purring and making biscuits is actually rather lovely.

Biscuit?

Well… Biscuit is complicated. 😂

He has come a long way, but he is still very unsure about human touch. The other night, while I was gently stroking him, something interesting happened. He came underneath my finger, took it into his mouth and held it.

Not a hard bite. Not a little playful nibble either. It was a firm, controlled hold. Then he rolled over and lifted a paw.

That was my cue to remove my hand. And here’s the interesting part — when I tried gently petting him again, he repeated exactly the same sequence.

Finger… mouth… hold… roll… paw. So was he saying “I’ve had enough, go away”?

Maybe.

Was it play? Social interaction? An experiment with something he is still learning to understand?

Possibly.

The truth is, with a cat like Biscuit, we can’t simply assign one human emotion to every behaviour. And because he has a history of being frightened and defensive, that raised paw is something I take seriously. It could potentially lead to a grab, swat or bite, even though his mouth contact so far has been very controlled.

So I’ve decided not to push it.

For the next few days, I won’t be trying to make Biscuit accept petting. I’ll still sit with him, talk to him, feed him, give him his treats and be part of his little world. If he chooses to come forward for contact, I’ll respond gently — but I’ll let him decide how much.

Because sometimes progress with a frightened cat isn’t about getting them to accept more. Sometimes it’s about showing them that when they say “that’s enough”, you actually listen. And that might be one of the most important lessons Biscuit can learn.

He doesn’t have to fight to make me stop. He can communicate. And I will listen.

Biscuit is definitely hard work. 😂 I suspect he may be with us for a very, very long time. But that’s okay.

Some cats don’t arrive at trust in leaps and bounds.
Some arrive one tiny, complicated, slightly toothy step at a time. 🐾❤️

🐾 A HUGE SHOUT-OUT & THANK YOU! 🐾

A very special thank you to the SPCA in Renwick, Blenheim for supporting Quiet Paws Creations & Streetcat Rescue.

8th September 2026

They recently very generously provided us with a wonderful food parcel for our rescue and community cats, and I cannot tell you how much this kind of support means.

Running a small, home-based rescue and continuing to feed and care for our street cats takes an enormous amount of food — so every bit of help makes a real difference.

I am incredibly grateful to the SPCA for recognising what we are doing and for getting behind Quiet Paws Creations & Streetcat Rescue. It means so much to know that we have wonderful local organisations supporting the work we do for cats who otherwise might have nobody.

And because I believe in giving credit where it is due, the SPCA Renwick is now proudly featured in the rotating banner of supporters on the main page of our website, alongside the people and organisations who help make our work possible.

🌿 Quiet Paws Creations & Streetcat Rescue
quietpawscreations.co.nz⁠

🐾 Follow us on Facebook:
Quiet Paws Creations & Streetcat Rescue⁠

Thank you, SPCA Renwick, for helping us keep those bowls filled.
We appreciate you more than you know.

#QuietPawsCreations #StreetcatRescue #SPCARenwick #MarlboroughCats #RescueCats #CommunityCats #ThankYou #CatRescue

I Captured this Today… ❤️

21 August 2026

Tabitha and Biscuit, tucked away together in their little cubby, with Biscuit snuggled safely behind her.

For two cats who have both come such a long way, this tiny moment means so much. Biscuit is still wary of people — he even hissed at Brett and a visitor today 😂 — but with Tabitha, he is beginning to relax.

And while these two were enjoying their quiet little world together, BB was perfectly happy in his own cubby nearby.

Three little rescue cats, each finding their own way to feel safe. 🐾❤️

Biscuit’s Accidental Breakthrough 🐾

20 August 2026

Well… we had a little breakthrough with Biscuit this morning.

And, as is often the way with frightened cats, it happened completely by accident.

Biscuit and Tabitha are currently enjoying their newfound freedom from their crates, and this morning I found Biscuit tucked up inside Tabitha’s little cubby with her. He had absolutely no intention of coming out while I was in there — and honestly, I wasn't about to push him.

So I did what I normally do with Tabitha. I sat beside them and started giving Tabby her morning pats.

Then came the accidental-on-purpose moment. 😂 While patting Tabitha, I gently touched Biscuit.

And… nothing happened.
No hiss.
No growl.
No swat.
No attempt to launch himself through the nearest wall!

So I kept going.

First Tabitha, then Biscuit. I was able to gently stroke him under his chin, around his ears and over the top of his head. And then… he closed his eyes.

He still wasn't completely relaxed, his breathing told me that he was still tense, and he didn't purr. But he accepted the contact.

For a cat who has spent so much time believing that human hands are something to defend himself against, that is a BIG little milestone.

And I suspect Tabitha had a lot to do with it. Biscuit was tucked in with her, and she was providing him with that extra feeling of safety and confidence. He may not have had the option of simply walking away, but instead of reacting defensively, he chose to tolerate the contact.

Then came another lovely little moment.

Every morning, the cats get their creamy treats either before or after breakfast, depending on who needs a little encouragement to get their appetite going. Since Biscuit was snuggled in with Tabitha, I put a little treat on the end of my finger and offered it in without really being able to see what was happening. Tabitha had a lick as she usually does.

Then Biscuit came forward…and licked it too.

Before I knew it, I was feeding both of them from my fingertip, with Biscuit happily licking the creamy treat straight off my finger alongside Tabitha. And that might sound like a tiny thing.

But with a frightened or previously defensive cat, these tiny things are the milestones.

The important thing about progress

Cats like Biscuit don't necessarily progress in a straight line.

A breakthrough doesn't mean “he's cured now and I can pat him whenever I want.” In fact, I won't be rushing out to try patting Biscuit when he's wandering around on his own.

What we've learned today is something much more valuable:

Biscuit is capable of accepting gentle human touch when he feels safe enough.

He can also approach a human hand for something positive, in this case, his beloved creamy treat, and choose to lick from the hand rather than seeing it as a threat.

Those are building blocks.

With frightened cats, trust is often built through hundreds of tiny moments:

.. Nothing bad happened.
...That hand didn't hurt me.
..I can walk away if I want to.
...That human brings treats.
...That human is gentle with Tabitha.
...Maybe I'm safe here.

And eventually, those little moments can become trust.

So for now, we're not going to push it. We'll let Biscuit decide when he's ready for the next step.

And later, when I looked through the window, guess where he was?

Still tucked up happily in the cubby with Tabitha.

Hello, Biscuit.
You're doing brilliantly, little man.

One tiny milestone at a time. 🐾

Photo below I took but for clarity had the bars removed digitally so you can see their cuteness!!

The Ginger Fugitive - 13 August 2026

Well… it turns out Tomas never actually left. 😂

After his rather explosive escape from his recovery crate, we left the garage doors open all day yesterday and assumed he had headed off to resume his usual section-hopping life.

But today I went into the garage and immediately noticed a very strong tomcat smell.

I checked the crate where he’d been staying and there it was — a HUGE puddle of pee right where his litter box had been. There were little wet pawprints through it too. Then I noticed the last few crumbs of kibble I’d left behind — literally about seven pieces — had disappeared.

Poor boy had obviously been coming back to his old crate while we thought he’d gone, probably hiding somewhere up high. Brett had even said he thought he’d heard something moving overhead yesterday.

So tonight the litter box is back, along with fresh water and food. And I’m keeping the garage closed so I know he can eat and drink in peace.
Tomorrow we’ll see what the evidence tells us.

Apparently Tomas has decided that freedom is all very well… but the garage comes with room service. 😂🧡

🧡 Tomas — our Ginger Daddy 🧡

This enormous ginger boy was trapped for TNR and had his desexing, microchip, ear tip and health check done. The vet also gave his teeth a good clean, as they had some rather impressive black gunk over them!

Getting him from the trap into the recovery crate was a bit hairy — he is a VERY strong boy. And well… his release was just as explosive as his transition from trap to recovery crate! 😂

We opened the crate and Tomas sat there for about 40 seconds, just taking everything in. Then I moved.

He shot out of the crate, straight up the wall and into the rafters without stopping! And there he stayed, looking down at us like the grumpy ginger landlord he clearly is.

I haven’t seen him since, so we’re hoping he hasn’t decided to relocate! Mouse disappeared for three days once and came back, so fingers crossed Tomos does the same. He’s now back out there living his outdoor life, but I’ll continue to feed him, worm him and keep an eye on him.

Come back for dinner, Tomas! 🧡😂

Meet Tomas — Our Magnificent Ginger Daddy

10 August 2026

This enormous ginger boy has been visiting us for some time, and we’ve named him Tomas — although after today, I suspect The Ginger Wrecking Ball might have been more appropriate! 😂

Tomas is going through TNR — Trap, Neuter, Return. He isn’t joining our indoor rescue cats, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be cared for.

He has now been desexed, microchipped into my name and ear-tipped, so anyone who sees him will know that this big boy has already been through the programme.

The vet also gave him a full health check and cleaned his teeth, which was definitely needed. He had some rather unpleasant black build-up all over his teeth that has now been scraped away. One less problem for our big boy to worry about.

But getting him safely into his 24-hour recovery crate was another matter entirely…

Once the transfer was complete and the door was shut, Tomas suddenly discovered that he was, in fact, NOT a fan of being incarcerated.
He put his enormous ginger body behind that door and BARGED it so hard that he actually managed to force the bottom open!

Within seconds, his head and one leg were through the gap. 😱
Cue a very quick rescue operation and several cable ties!

Thankfully, he’s now safely secured and settling down for his required 24-hour recovery period. He even managed to give his nose a little knock during his escape attempt, so he’s currently sporting a rather fetching red dent. 🥺. And yet, after all that drama, look at his face…

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve been perfectly well behaved. After his 24 hours are up, Tomas will be returned to his territory.

And this is the part I’m really hoping for… I’m going to continue feeding him, worming him and keeping an eye on him, just as I do with our other community TNR cats. So I’m hoping our enormous ginger daddy will remember that this is where the food comes from and keep coming back to see us.

Because although Tomas won’t be an indoor inmate, he is now very much one of our community cats.

He’s desexed.
He’s microchipped.
He’s ear-tipped.
His health has been checked.
His teeth have had a much-needed clean.

And most importantly…Someone is looking out for him.

Now, Tomas…After all that effort to catch you, you’d better come back for dinner! 😂🧡 And bring YOUR daddy cos he’s next! That poor boy really needs some help!

🧡 A Little Bit of Progress… and a Lot of Cat Attitude 🐾

Today was one of those days that makes all the patience, worry and hard work feel completely worth it.

The crate doors came off.

All of them.

For BB, Biscuit and Tabitha, those crates have been their safe little worlds while they learned that this strange new place was actually somewhere they could trust. But today, they didn’t need those doors anymore. They were simply there if they wanted them.

Their food has moved outside too, so there was no reason to keep them tied to their old spaces.

And then, of course, the cats had to put their own little spin on the occasion. 😂

Biscuit decided that BB’s cardboard box was actually Biscuit’s cardboard box.

BB was already in there when Biscuit joined him, and while I was trying to clean around them, Biscuit gave a few little growls. I suspect it wasn’t really BB he was objecting to — he probably just wasn’t thrilled about having his personal space invaded while humans were moving things around. 😹

Eventually, Biscuit won the argument. BB was evicted. So BB got a brand-new bed instead. 😂

And honestly, look at them now.

They’re moving in and out of each other’s spaces. They’re choosing where they want to sleep. They’re eating outside their crates. They’re exploring. They’re making their own decisions.

Tabitha, meanwhile, decided that all this excitement was quite enough and went back into her little cubby. 😂 She’s still very much a “I’ll participate when I’m good and ready” kind of girl.

And while they were all busy rearranging their little lives, I managed to do something I haven’t been able to do properly for quite a while…A big spring clean. No doors. No rushing. No trying to work around three frightened cats confined to their little spaces.

Just three cats, in their own time, deciding where they wanted to be.
This might look like a photo of two ginger cats sharing a box. But to me, it represents something much bigger.

These are cats who once needed those doors closed to feel safe.

Now the doors are open. And they’re staying open. They’re home. 🧡🐾

Tabitha’s Brave Little Hello ❤️

4th August 2026

Some milestones in rescue are loud and exciting.

Others happen so quietly that, if you blink, you could miss them.

Today was one of those moments.

For the first time since arriving, Tabitha made a decision that meant more than words ever could. She left the safety of her cubby—not because she had to, but because she wanted to.

She simply came out… and sat there looking at me.

No rushing back into hiding. No panic. Just those beautiful eyes watching me, quietly saying, “I’m trying.”

For a cat who has lived believing people were something to fear, this is enormous. Trust isn’t built in giant leaps. It’s built in tiny choices, made over and over again. Today, Tabitha chose curiosity over fear.

There will still be days when she hides. Days when progress feels like it’s gone backwards. That’s completely normal. Confidence isn’t a straight line—it’s a journey.

But today she reminded me why we celebrate the little things.

A cat stepping out of a cubby. A few minutes spent in the open. A silent greeting.

To anyone else, it might just look like a cat sitting in a crate. To me, it looks like hope. One brave little hello at a time

Tabitha – The Brave Little Cave

If you looked at Tabitha from across the room, you might think she hadn't made much progress.

She still won't walk out of her cubby while I'm there. But if you sit quietly beside her, you discover a completely different story.

Inside that little wooden cave lives a cat who leans into gentle hands. A cat who rubs against me. A cat who purrs. A cat who kneads her blanket with tiny paws, making biscuits while she enjoys every stroke.

She'll even poke her little ears and head out of the entrance, just enough to say hello before retreating to the place that makes her feel safe. To some people it might not seem like much. To me, it's everything.

Trust doesn't always look like a cat running into your arms. Sometimes it looks like a frightened little soul choosing to stay where she feels safest, while quietly discovering that the human sitting outside her cave isn't frightening after all.

One day she'll step out.

Not because she's been pushed. Not because she's been rushed.  But because, when she's ready, her world will finally feel safe enough to explore.

Until then, I'll treasure every biscuit she makes, every gentle rub, and every tiny ear that peeks out to say, "I'm trying."

And for Tabitha...

Trying is more than enough.

BB – The Cat Who Nearly Knocked My Glasses Off

Some cats take a long time to tell you that they trust you.

BB doesn't believe in subtlety.

Today, as I opened his crate, he came straight to the door with one thing on his mind—me.

Before I knew it, he was bunting my face with complete enthusiasm, rubbing his cheeks against me over and over again as if he'd decided I needed to wear his scent before I was allowed to leave.

My glasses didn't stand a chance.

They were bumped, nudged and almost knocked clean off my face while BB happily purred away, completely unconcerned about my ability to see.  For a cat who once faced an uncertain future, moments like this are impossible to take for granted.

Every head bunt says, "You're safe. "Every rub says, "You're mine."  Every enthusiastic greeting reminds me why rescue is worth every difficult day.

Sometimes love isn't quiet.  Sometimes it nearly knocks your glasses off.

Biscuit – Following the Paintbrush

There was a time when Biscuit saw people as something to fear.

If anyone came too close, the answer was simple: hiss, growl, make yourself as frightening as possible. His cubby was the only place where he felt safe, and the world beyond it was something to survive, not explore.

So we found another way.

A simple paintbrush became our bridge. At first it carried a tiny smear of creamy treat. Later it became a gentle hand from a distance, stroking his cheeks and scratching under his chin while allowing him to stay within the safety of his cubby.

Day by day, the paintbrush stopped being just a stick. It became something that meant good things.

Today something happened that neither of us expected.

There wasn’t any food on the paintbrush. Yet Biscuit began licking the end anyway, searching for that familiar taste. Then he stopped, lifted his nose and carefully sniffed the brush.

Slowly… very slowly… he followed the scent along its length.

Closer.....Closer still......My heart was racing.

I watched him work his way along the handle until he was less than half an inch from my hand. My mind immediately jumped to the worst possible outcome.

“Is this it? Is he about to bite me?”

Instead, all I saw was curiosity. He wasn’t charging. He wasn’t threatening. He was simply trying to discover where this wonderful object came from.

I’ll admit… I chickened out and gently pulled my hand away! Maybe it wasn’t the perfect ending. But it didn’t matter.  Because today wasn’t about touching my hand.

It was about a frightened cat choosing curiosity over fear.  Sometimes the biggest victories happen just half an inch away.

A New Chapter Begins: Our Rescue Catio Is Finally Complete 🐾

After weeks of planning, building, problem-solving, and a lot of hard work, we are incredibly excited to say that our rescue catio is finally finished! Well the basics!  Still to 'dress it up' yet,   Updates later!

For our shy and vulnerable rescue cats, the world outside can be a very scary place. Many of the cats who come to us have never known safety, comfort, or the feeling of having a space they can truly call their own. Our aim has always been to give them time, patience, and the choice to move forward at their own pace.

This new outdoor area is an extension of their safe indoor space. It allows them to experience fresh air, sunshine, new sights, and sounds — while still having the security of their familiar beds, cubbies, and hiding places close by.

For cats like BB, Biscuit, and Tabitha, who have all travelled their own difficult journeys, this is a huge step forward. Cats who once hid away, unsure of humans and their surroundings, now have the opportunity to explore, watch the world go by, and build confidence in a safe environment.

A huge thank you goes to Brett for all the time, effort, and skill that went into creating this space. From measuring and building to solving all the little challenges along the way, this has been a true labour of love.

This isn’t just a catio — it’s a place where scared cats can learn that life can be gentle. It’s a place where they can make choices, take their time, and discover that the world isn’t always something to fear.

We can’t wait to see the first little paws venture out and begin exploring their new surroundings. Every tiny step forward is a victory.

Thank you to everyone who supports our rescue journey. Whether through encouragement, donations, sharing our stories, or simply caring about these cats — you are part of helping them find their way. ❤️🐾

#QuietPaws #RescueCats #SecondChances

Biscuit’s Little Huff

19 July 2026

This morning I walked into the cattery expecting the opposite of what I found.

For the past few days we’ve been hard at work outside, building the next stage of the cattery. The air has been filled with the sound of drills, saws, hammers and power tools. To us, it’s exciting progress. To three cats who have spent much of their lives believing loud noises often meant danger, I fully expected a setback.

Instead…

BB greeted me with his usual purr before I’d even finished saying hello. Tabitha, once the cat who wouldn’t even let me look at her, was relaxed and purring too.

Then there was Biscuit.

His litter tray wasn’t turned upside down. There was no bedding dragged everywhere. No signs that he’d spent the night pacing in fear. I simply scooped out the poops, tidied a couple of things and realised… there wasn’t really anything to tidy at all.

A few weeks ago I would have quietly dropped the sliding door while cleaning around him, just so he couldn’t see me getting too close. It was kinder for him and less stressful for us both.

Today I didn’t. I watched his body language instead. He watched me. There was no panic. No explosion of fear. Just a cat keeping an eye on what I was doing. When I opened his door to collect the empty food bowls, I braced myself out of habit. Normally there would have been a growl, a hiss and perhaps a dramatic pretend swipe to remind me that I wasn’t welcome.

Instead…

“Huff.” Just one little huff. I actually smiled.

When breakfast was ready, I brought out the creamy treat on the end of the treat stick. Biscuit tucked into it with enthusiasm while I gently brushed the stick against his tail and leg as I pulled it away for another squeeze. Nothing. No outrage. No angry reaction. Just another mouthful of treat, please.

Then came the moment that melted my heart. A tiny little squeaky mew. Not the deep warning noises I’d become so familiar with. A little kitten-like squeak. So I mewed back. He answered. I mewed again. He answered again. For a few precious seconds we had our own tiny conversation.

Nobody else would probably think much of it. To me, it felt enormous. Because Biscuit wasn’t talking to someone he feared. He was talking to someone he recognised.

These cats never stop teaching me that trust isn’t built in giant leaps. It arrives in quiet moments. In untouched litter trays. In the absence of growls. In a tiny “huff” instead of a hiss.

And sometimes…

It arrives disguised as the smallest little squeaky mew. Those are the moments that remind me why rescue is worth every challenge. We’re not just building a bigger cattery outside. Slowly, patiently and one tiny milestone at a time…

We’re building a place where frightened cats can finally begin to feel at home.

BB, Biscuit & Tabitha

Different stages of progress

17 July 2026

I managed to snap a few photos through the windows today of BB, Tabitha and Biscuit. It was a great opportunity because they were all either out of their cubbies or peeking out, which doesn’t happen all that often.

I’m going to share one photo of each of them. You’ve all been following their individual progress through my updates, but these photos really tell the story without words.

One is completely relaxed, one is well on the way, and one is still a frightened, angry little soul who has a much longer journey ahead.

Do you remember who’s who? Looking at the photos, can you tell which one is the chilled one, which one is almost there, and which one still has the biggest mountain to climb?

MOUSE AND GINGERPAW

A FAMILY AFFAIR

17 July 2026

First there was Mouse and Sox. Sadly, Sox now rests beneath our fig tree.

Then there was Mouse and Timtim. Timtim has disappeared, and sadly I fear it may not have been for natural reasons.

Now it’s Mouse and Gingerpaw.

What makes this even more special is that all four of them are siblings. ❤️

Mouse and Gingerpaw absolutely adore each other. They eat together, play together, and are rarely far apart. Today I managed to capture a few photos of them, although they’re a bit blurry thanks to the distance and my phone’s less-than-amazing zoom!

Even so, I don’t mind. I now have these precious photos of a brother and sister who share such a beautiful bond, and that means far more than having the perfect picture.

TABITHA GETTING CURIOUS

7 JULY 2026

BB'S UPDATE 

7 JULY 2026

BB's Progress

BB, TABITHA & BISCUITS UPDATE

5 JULY 2026

✨ HUGE milestone day at QuietPaws Rescue! ✨

Today felt like one of those magical days where all the patience suddenly starts paying off. ❤️

🐾 BB is now officially a smooch monster and is definitely ready to graduate from his crate and start exploring!

🐾 Tabitha did something she’s never done before. As I opened her crate door with her treat, she poked her little head out to meet me! Then, instead of simply tolerating pats, she eagerly leaned into them… and PURRED. Such a quiet, ladylike little girl. 🥹

🐾 Biscuit absolutely blew me away. While I was busy with BB and Tabitha, I turned around to pull back his night cover and there he was… OUTSIDE his cubby and starting on his breakfast while I was still in the room! We locked eyes and I accidentally blurted out, “Oh! Biscuit! Sorry buddy!” 😂 He gave a little growl and quickly retreated back into his cubby, but that’s okay.

Because today, for the very first time, Biscuit chose to come out while I was there.

Three cats. Three huge steps forward. Days like this make every worry, every setback, and every hour of patience so worthwhile. ❤️🐾

#QuietPawsRescue #RescueCats #FeralToFriendly #TrustTakesTime #SmallVictories #CatRescue

BB, TABITHA & BISCUIT

UPDATE 26 JUNE 2026

WOW, things are starting to really move forward for BB, Biscuit and Tabitha! This morning, before I even headed up to the shed (or should I start calling it the cattery now?), I checked the camera as I always do… and there was Tabitha, out and waiting, watching the door.
Of course, the second she heard me coming, she ducked straight back into her cubby! Some things never change. 😸

As usual, Tabitha’s crate was the quickest and tidiest to clean and replenish. She stayed tucked away in her cubby, simply watching me work. But I noticed another little step forward today, she was leaning further towards the entrance of her cubby to take her creamy treats from my fingers. And the best part? As soon as I left and shut the door, she was straight back out again! No long wait to make sure I was really gone first. Progress comes in the smallest ways.

Then there was BB…

Somehow overnight he had completely turned his box around so it was facing the opposite direction, and all the floor rugs were bunched up. General BB chaos! 😂. But our boy continues to amaze me. Once I gently tipped him out of his box so I could rearrange everything again, he really didn’t mind too much. A little slinky, yes, but no panic.

Then, after I’d finished and he’d gone back into his favourite box, he actually came back out and met me halfway to get his daily creamy treat! Not only that, but he was fully enjoying his pats and rubs too. His little meows, squeaks and purrs are becoming more and more common, and it feels like he’s beginning to seek out interaction rather than simply tolerate it.

I also have to mention that BB keeps the cleanest litter tray of the three, making it very easy to sift. Such a tidy little gentleman.

And finally… Biscuit. Dear Biscuit…

As usual, he sang me a song or two of complaint while I sorted his litter box and food bowls. Growls and grumbles are still very much part of the routine!

But today there were some really encouraging changes.

Firstly, his poops were much less shredded. There were actually some decent-sized pieces that I could properly sift out of the litter – a strange thing to celebrate perhaps, but with Biscuit, these things matter!
Secondly, my little trick of wedging another tray up against his litter box is working beautifully. Any spillover goes into the extra tray and can simply be tipped back in. Even better, there was noticeably less scattering into that today.

While I’m cleaning and putting his room back together, I still place a board against his cubby so he can’t see exactly what I’m doing. He can hear me, of course, so he still gives me his running commentary of growls and complaints, but he can’t lash out. It seems to make the whole process much calmer for both of us. I even managed to give everything a really good disinfectant wash today as well, which felt like a bonus.

Then came treat time.

As always, Biscuit had his creamy treat on the end of a stick. What I noticed today was that although the growls were still there, they weren’t the loud, angry “I’m going to kill you!” growls and hisses we’ve become accustomed to. They were more of a rumble.

And he seemed more eager to lean his head forward for the treat too.

He still leaves a tiny bit on the end of the stick every time. I’ve learned now to simply take it away when he’s finished instead of trying to be pedantic and encouraging him to clean it off. In the past, trying to wipe it onto his chin or paw would earn me some very impressive hisses! So, in that regard, Biscuit has taught me to respect his wishes. 😹

So today’s little victories were:

🐾 Tabitha waiting for me outside her cubby and coming back out immediately after I leave.

🐾 BB meeting me halfway for treats, enjoying pats, and continuing to become more social and confident.

🐾 Biscuit giving me rumble-growls instead of furious growls and hisses, leaning forward for his treat, and showing improvements in his litter habits.

None of these things are huge on their own. But together, they tell a beautiful story.

Trust is growing.
Confidence is building.
And these three special souls continue to take tiny, brave steps forward, one day at a time. ❤️

Responsible Cat Ownership and Humane Population Management

For years, cat rescues (and others) have been advocating for their respective Councils’ support for a bylaw encouraging cat owners in our district to desex their cats and register their microchips on the New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR). Microchipping is not a Council fee; it is a small one-off cost paid by the owner to record their contact details on the national database.

For cat owners, these measures provide clear benefits. Microchipping significantly increases the likelihood of lost cats being reunited with their families, while desexing reduces the risk of certain cancers and other health issues, as well as reducing roaming, fighting, injury risk, and unwanted litters. These actions support improved welfare and longer, healthier lives for cats. Reduced-cost desexing programmes are offered by various rescue organisations to improve accessibility for owners.

Concerns continue to be raised about the impact of cats on native wildlife. Regardless of differing perspectives, it is in everyone’s interest to reduce the number of undesexed, unowned, and abandoned cats in the community.

What is increasingly concerning is the growing hostility towards cats emerging in parts of the public discourse. Cats are often portrayed as the problem, rather than a symptom of human responsibility and unmanaged breeding. In some cases, this rhetoric risks normalising attitudes that would previously have been considered unacceptable, including calls for or acts of cruelty towards cats.

A bylaw would provide a practical framework to support responsible cat ownership at a community level, alongside education on desexing and microchipping. This would help reduce unwanted litters and abandonment, and ease the ongoing burden placed on rescue organisations and the wider community.

In the meantime, we will also continue clearing up after the problem and caring for the ones who suffer most.

We appreciate your support, cat lovers 💕

Another heartwarming milestone this morning. 💚

As I went about the usual morning routine, replenishing food, cleaning litter trays and putting Biscuit’s cubby back where it belonged, BB gave me the biggest smile.

He flopped right over onto his side for a really good scratch… all while purring away. 🥹

For a cat who once had to be constantly on guard just to survive, seeing him so relaxed while I was moving around his room is incredibly rewarding. BB was the first of the three to come into care, and it really shows what time, patience and consistency can achieve.

Meanwhile, dear Biscuit kept me on my toes! 😂 His cubby had somehow rolled over, so I used my trusty wooden spoon to gently move things back into place. Apparently the spoon had committed a terrible offence, because Biscuit launched an attack on it! Thankfully it was only the spoon that took the punishment. Despite all the growling and bravado, he’s still happily taking his cream treats and continues to make slow but steady progress.

Sweet Tabitha was content as always, quietly watching from the safety of her cubby while I finished the morning chores. Every cat is different, and every one of them deserves the time they need to learn that people don’t always bring danger.

Progress with unsocialised street cats isn’t usually dramatic. It’s found in the little things…..a purr, a relaxed stretch, accepting a treat, or staying calm while someone moves around their space.

Those little moments are becoming more frequent, and they make every bit of effort worthwhile.

Thank you to everyone following their journey and cheering these three on. Your support means the world to us. 🐾💚

Our First Sponsors 

A milestone for Quiet Paws Creations!

Our First Official Sponsors!

Every journey begins with a single step, and today marks a very special milestone for Quiet Paws Creations.

We are absolutely delighted to welcome the Steadman family as our very first official cat sponsors, by sponsoring our handsome boy, Mouse.

When we launched our sponsorship programme, we hoped it would become a meaningful way for people to make a lasting difference in the lives of our rescued cats. To have the Steadman family believe in that vision from the very beginning means more than words can express.

Their sponsorship will help provide for Mouse’s ongoing care, including food, veterinary treatment when needed, enrichment, and everything else that goes into giving him the safe, happy life he deserves. But beyond that, they have become part of our story.

Being our first sponsors is something that can only happen once, and the Steadman family will always hold that special place in the history of Quiet Paws Creations. We are incredibly grateful for their kindness, generosity, and faith in what we are building.

From all of us—and especially from Mouse—thank you for becoming part of our family. We are honoured to have you walking beside us on this journey.

We hope this is the beginning of a wonderful community of sponsors helping rescued cats receive the love, care, and second chances they deserve. If you have ever thought about sponsoring one of our cats, we’d love to welcome you too. Together, we really can change lives, one paw at a time.

🐾 With heartfelt thanks,

Quiet Paws Creations