Calico kittens & cats in Brainerd, Minnesota

Highway is a tiny black cat with big golden eyes. She is incredibly affectionate to people she trusts when she feels safe in her environment. She did not do well in a busy home with multiple people and animals. She is doing better in a quieter setting. She gets along with the low-energy resident cat she lives with now, and she doesn't mind the dog (who ignores her). In fact, she's even taken to rubbing up against the dog and pouncing on the resident cat! That said, Highway is usually submissive and needs a quiet home. We have tried to introduce her to other cats with mixed success. She always initiates with fear hissing, but if the other cat ignores her, she will eventually accept them. If the other cat takes an interest in her and sniffs her or follows her, she is uncomfortable and things do not go well. We've been working with her since November 2021 and she has made so much progress! Highway needs a quiet home. She may be alright with one or two other animals if they are submissive and calm and ignore her. Slow introductions are a must. We would prefer to place her as an only pet just to be sure there's no compatibility issues. She has done well with children, but due to the fact that she is easily startled by loud noises and fast movement, a home without small children would be best. Highway will dart away to hide if she feels unsafe for any reason, but quickly comes back when she realizes that she is safe. She loves to play with feather wand toys. Highway actively seeks out affection from her trusted humans, but prefers not to be picked up. She is a "pet me" cat, not a "hold me" cat. Fun fact about Highway: She sheds, a lot! She is on a grain-free diet and that has helped. Highway is food motivated and loves when her foster mom shares a nibble of people food. She *loves* goldfish snacks! We are estimating her birthday to be late June or early July 2021. The vet suggested she may be younger than that, but we suspect the age discrepancy is due to her poor condition when she arrived. Poor thing was nearly starved to death. As of December 6th, 2021 (5-6 months old), she weighed in at just 3.9 pounds. As of April 19, 2022 (9-10 months old) she weighed 5 pounds, 7 ounces. Highway was found on the side of the road on November 8, 2021. She was starving and dehydrated, and terrified of the cars racing by. A kind young man was walking by and Highway cried and darted out to wind herself around his legs, begging him to help. She was too scared to let him pick her up at first, so the young man coaxed her to follow along his walk until he got closer to his home when she finally allowed him to pick her up. She was given Frontline 11/8/21. Highway received her rabies vaccination on December 6, 2021 (she is overdue for a booster), has tested negative for FIV/FeLeuk, and has been microchipped and spayed. Highway's adoption fee is $100 to an approved home.