At DeKalb Humane Society, a certain cat has been turning heads — not just for his good looks, but for his very strong opinions.
Meet Salem: affectionate, dramatic, slightly chaotic, and completely unforgettable.
Salem came to the shelter after his previous family became overwhelmed with too many cats. After spending some time outdoors, he’s back in the cozy indoors, learning the ropes of house cat life again. And, oh boy, does he have some thoughts about it.
“Salem is something else — in the best possible way,” said Teresa Feightner, the shelter’s director. “He’s loving, hilarious, and totally charming… unless you cross one of his very specific lines. Then you might get a little nip or swat — and five seconds later, he’s back to being your BFF.”
Needless to say, Salem’s personality can’t be summed up in a few polite sentences. So when longtime volunteer Emma jokingly filled out a “feline report card” for Salem, it turned into something magical.
Her brutally honest and wildly funny notes had the entire staff laughing — and inspired them to create one of the most memorable adoption ads ever posted.
“Emma’s report was completely unhinged and 100% accurate,” Feightner said. “It captured Salem’s chaotic charm perfectly.”
In the viral Facebook post, Salem is described as having “big feelings” and a talent for plotting your demise if you dare make direct eye contact. It's the kind of ad you read once and instantly want to meet the cat behind it.
The internet loved it. Shares, likes, laughs — it was everything the shelter hoped for… except for one thing.
“No adoption applications,” Feightner said.
Turns out, while Salem is a star online, he’s not exactly a fit for the average adopter. He’s what the shelter affectionately calls a “cat person’s cat” — not your starter feline. He’s looking for someone who understands that love sometimes comes with boundaries (and occasional dramatic flair).
But for the right person, Salem is the ultimate reward: fiercely loving, endlessly entertaining, and never, ever boring.
“If you want a cat who keeps you laughing, guessing, and on your toes — Salem’s your guy,” Feightner said. “He’s the kind of companion who makes life more interesting in the best way.”
Ready to adopt a cat with personality for days? Contact DeKalb Humane Society to learn more about giving Salem the home (and dramatic flair) he deserves.
