At New York City’s Animal Care Centers, every cat has a story, but one senior tabby has become unforgettable. Shelter staff named him Wonder, and his expression is impossible to miss. His ears sit wide and flat like tiny airplane wings, a permanent-looking posture that has earned them the nickname “resting airplane ears.” Those expressive ears might look intimidating at first glance, yet behind them is a shy, gentle cat whose journey through fear and grief to cautious trust is striking. For anyone ever drawn to adopting a senior cat or helping an anxious shelter pet, Wonder’s story offers a powerful reminder about patience, compassion, and second chances.

Wonder’s path to the shelter began with loss. Officers from the NYPD brought him to ACC’s Queens location after his owner passed away, leaving him suddenly homeless. The staff were met with a cat whose world had been turned completely upside down. According to ACC’s Alec Rusnack, Wonder immediately showed a high level of fear, anxiety, and stress. Each approach to his kennel was met with a tense body, a tight face, flattened ears pointed out to the side, and a warning hiss. It was clear that he was overwhelmed and deeply unsure about his new environment.

In those early days, Wonder spent much of his time on guard. For an older cat grieving the loss of his person, the bright lights, unfamiliar sounds, and constant movement of a shelter can be especially challenging. His “airplane ears” signaled his discomfort to anyone who walked by his kennel. Many people interpret a hissing, flat-eared cat as aggressive or unfriendly, yet ACC’s team understood that what they were seeing was fear more than hostility. They knew that with time and consistent kindness, many anxious cats learn to relax and connect again.

Instagram/@cswilik

As days turned into weeks, small shifts began to appear. Wonder’s body language gradually softened. His posture became less rigid when people approached his kennel, and his overall tension began to ease. The fear was still there, but it no longer seemed to consume every moment. One thing, however, did not change: his ears stayed flat. Even as he started to settle in, those airplane ears seemed permanently deployed. No amount of coaxing or treats could convince them to perk up.

Fortunately, ACC has a feline behavior team that is well versed in the needs of anxious cats like Wonder. Staff and volunteers spent time building trust slowly, always on his terms. Rusnack explained that through patience, positive interactions, and a lot of affection from the behavior team and cat volunteers, Wonder made “wonderful progress.” He was also generously supplied with squeeze-up treats, which appeared to help convince him that people were not so bad after all. Treats, gentle voices, and consistent routines combined to show him that this new world could hold safety as well as uncertainty.

Despite the progress in his behavior, Wonder’s resting airplane ears continued to create a misleading first impression. To casual visitors walking past, he might have seemed unapproachable or even unfriendly. The staff could see that inside this cautious senior was a loving cat, so they decided to help potential adopters see beyond his unusual expression. They placed a handwritten note on his kennel door that explained his unique personality: “I am actually a sweet old boy with resting airplane ears. I’ll greet you with a hiss, but I actually just want pets! Say hi slow [and] I’ll love you.” It was a simple message that invited people to look past his initial reaction and give him the gentle introduction he needed.

One volunteer, Chelsey, remembers being struck by Wonder the moment she met him. Each time she approached his kennel in those early weeks, he would be tucked on the top shelf, ears flattened and eyes wary. A hiss often greeted her attempts to connect. Wanting to respect his boundaries, she initially gave him lots of space, wary of causing further stress. It was only after she read the note on his kennel that she decided to try a different approach. Instead of pulling back at his hiss, she slowly offered him some soft pets, just as the sign suggested.

The result surprised her. Under that spiky exterior, Wonder melted into affection. Chelsey described him as a “true softy,” a cat who responded warmly once he realized the interaction was safe and kind. The moment she reached out, his supposed hostility gave way to trust. This shift, captured in a shared video clip, illustrated perfectly how misunderstood a stressed shelter cat can be and how important it is to listen to the guidance of staff who know their animals best.

For Wonder, the shelter experience has not been easy. As a shy senior cat with anxiety, the bustling environment and constant change can be particularly tough. Yet his story also highlights the impact that dedicated volunteers and behavior professionals can have on animals in need. With consistent reassurance, careful handling, and time to decompress, Wonder has grown more confident day by day. Those airplane ears still sit out to the sides, but his heart has quietly opened.

At this point, Wonder has become one of ACC’s longest residents. Staff members are deeply fond of him, and there is genuine affection behind every update they share. They admit they will miss having him around, yet their hope is that someone will see beyond his resting airplane ears and recognize the loving companion waiting underneath. According to Rusnack, Wonder will thrive in a calm, patient home with an experienced cat adopter, ideally someone who understands that shy or anxious cats sometimes need extra time before they feel safe enough to fully show their personalities.

Wonder’s story is a powerful reminder that first impressions, especially with animals coping with grief and change, can be misleading. A hiss can be a plea for space rather than a flat denial of affection. Flattened ears can signal lingering anxiety instead of permanent hostility. For potential adopters looking at senior shelter cats, this perspective can be transformative. By listening to staff, approaching slowly, and allowing a cat to set the pace, people often discover a deeply affectionate animal who simply needed a chance.

Today, Wonder remains at ACC, his airplane ears still adorably out to the side, his heart more open than when he arrived. The team is, in their own words, a bit obsessed with him. To them, he is proof that patience, behavioral support, and compassion can help even the most apprehensive animals find comfort again. They describe him as a sweetheart once he feels comfortable, a description that captures both his journey and his potential. As he waits for his forever home, Wonder stands as an ambassador for anxious, older shelter cats everywhere, inviting adopters to look twice, move slowly, and discover the quiet love waiting behind a cautious exterior.

Read more at