HUNTINGTON, NY — Peekaboo was first noticed in May 2024 — a sleek shadow slipping between hedges in a Farmingdale neighborhood, according to volunteers at Grateful Paw Cat Shelter.
"He wasn’t alone then, said Debbi Larkin, shelter president. "Peekaboo had two siblings at his side—three small black figures learning how to survive a world that had already taught them to be careful."
Life moved quickly after that. Foster care came, then another move in August 2024, when it became clear that Peekaboo still needed more than food and a warm place to sleep. He needed patience. He needed quiet.
"He went to a peaceful home with a volunteer who understands cats who speak softly and trust slowly," volunteers said.
Peekaboo will be two years old in May. The shelter described him as a handsome, sleek black panther with expressive yellow eyes—eyes that seem to hold questions, memories, and a cautious kind of hope.
"Somewhere along the way, while living outside, something taught him to be wary," the shelter said. "What it was, no one knows. What is known is that he is gentle to his core. His siblings were adopted first. They were braver, quicker to greet the world. Peekaboo stayed behind, watching from the safety of his cubby, learning from a distance."
When you approach him, he may hiss—but not in anger.
"It’s simply his way of saying “ Hello.. I see you,' volunteers said. "Please be gentle. And if you are, and if you reach in slowly, scratch his chin, or softly pet his head, something magical happens. His body relaxes. His eyes soften. His little motor starts to hum. Peekaboo melts into the touch, revealing the sweet baby boy he’s been all along—one who desperately wants love, even if he’s not quite sure how to ask for it."
In time—and volunteers say it does take time—Peekaboo shows who he truly is. In foster care, once he felt safe, volunteers said he loved to curl up on a lap, snuggle beside his human in bed, or quietly nap nearby.
He doesn’t need constant excitement; he needs connection. He prefers company to solitude and shows affection in the most tender ways, even gently washing his human as a sign of love.
Give him a feather toy, though, and you’ll see another side entirely. The shy panther transforms—running, leaping, chasing with joyful abandon. For those moments, Peekaboo forgets his worries and simply plays.
Peekaboo is healthy and ready for his next chapter. He has tested negative for FELV, FIV, and parasites. His eyes, ears, and heart have been checked. He is fully vaccinated, litter box trained, and neutered. What he needs now isn’t medical care—it’s emotional safety.
Volunteers said his ideal home is a quiet one. Older children are welcome, as long as everyone understands that Peekaboo will be timid at first. A small, enclosed room would help him settle in without feeling overwhelmed. Sit with him while he eats. Speak softly. Let him come to you. With patience, he will reward you with devotion. He may even enjoy sharing his life with another calm, older pet—someone to keep him company while you’re away.
If you are interested in meeting Peekaboo, please call the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter at 631-757-4517, email cats@laphuntington.org, visit the shelter’s Facebook page, or come in and introduce yourself. The shelter is located at 3 Verleye Avenue, East Northport. The shelter hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 12-4 pm. We are also open on Thursday night from 7-9 pm by appointment only.
"Peekaboo is a special soul looking for a special human—someone who understands that love doesn’t always arrive loudly," volunteers said. "Sometimes it hides in a cubby, hisses hello, and waits for the right heart to listen. Will you be the one to give this struggling mini black panther his forever home? He has been waiting at the shelter for 1 and a half years now, always getting passed by for the other outgoing, friendlier cats."
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