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Josefine

European Shorthair · Female · Young · 1 year

Josephine has been with us at the shelter since the end of May. We are not sure if she ever had a real home, she is relatively shy, but she is making good progress. She gets along with other cats, but usually retreats to her own quiet corner, so we think she would rather not be kept as a second cat. She seems to avoid the hustle and bustle altogether. If you approach her gently, she will talk to you quietly, take treats, and even let you pet her and purr (if she knows you), but this phase doesn't last too long, then she will find a quieter place 1-2 meters away. It is possible that she will become a bit more affectionate and seek human closeness once she has established a relationship and a home, but we can't promise it. In any case, Josephine needs patience, empathy, and some cat experience, as well as a quiet environment and later outdoor access. If you don't want a lap cat that constantly crawls around your legs, Josephine is a pleasant companion.

DE·Show original

Josefine sitzt schon seit Ende Mai bei uns im Tierheim. Wir sind uns nicht sicher, ob sie jemals ein richtiges Zuhause hatte, sie ist relativ scheu, macht aber gute Fortschritte. Mit anderen Katzen verträgt sie sich zwar, zieht sich allerdings meistens in eine eigene stille Ecke zurück, so dass wir denken, dass sie lieber nicht als Zweitkatze gehalten werden möchte. Überhaupt scheint sie Trubel am liebsten aus dem Weg zu gehen. Wenn man sich ihr behutsam nähert, dann redet sie zwar leise mit einem, nimmt auch mal Leckerlis entgegen und lässt sich sogar streicheln und schnurrt dabei (wenn sie einen kennt), allzu lange dauert diese Phase allerdings nicht, dann sucht sie sich einen ruhigeren Platz in 1-2 Metern Entfernung. Es ist möglich, dass sie etwas verschmuster wird und eher die menschliche Nähe sucht, wenn sie erst einmal feste Bezugspersonen und ein eigenes Zuhause hat, versprechen können wir es allerdings nicht. Auf jeden Fall ist bei Josefine Geduld, Einfühlungsvermögen und etwas Katzenerfahrung vonnöten, genauso wie eine ruhige Umgebung und spätere Freigangmöglichkeit. Wenn man nicht unbedingt eine Schoßkatze will, die ständig um die Beine streicht, dann ist Josefine aber eine angenehme Gesellschafterin.

Size
—
Age
Young · 1 year
Location
🇩🇪Darmstadt
Shelter
Tierheim Darmstadt
Living with Josefine
  • ✓Spayed
  • ✓Good with kids
Cared for by Tierheim Darmstadt · DarmstadtLearn about European Shorthair →

Listed 4 days ago

Bringing Josefine home

What you'll need for Josefine in week one.

Hand-picked · prices indicative

  1. 01
    Required by most shelters

    Hard-Shell Cat Carrier

    Top-loading carriers are easier than dragging cats out of a side door.

    View on Amazon→
    €25–40
  2. 02

    Feliway Calming Spray

    Cat-specific pheromone. Spritz the carrier 15 min before pickup.

    View on Amazon→
    €18–25
  3. 03
    Editor's pick

    Covered Litter Box

    Privacy reduces stress in week one. Get one size up from what you'd think.

    View on Amazon→
    €25–45
  4. 04

    Clumping Cat Litter

    Match the shelter's brand for the first bag, transition slowly over a week.

    View on Amazon→
    €10–18
  5. 05

    Litter Scoop + Stand

    Daily scooping is non-negotiable. A stand keeps the scoop clean.

    View on Amazon→
    €10–18
  6. 06

    Sturdy Scratching Post

    Tall enough they can stretch fully. Saves your couch from week one.

    View on Amazon→
    €30–60

§ Affiliate links · TailHarbor earns a small commission, no extra cost to you.

About Josefine

What life with Josefine looks like

Josefine is a young adult european shorthair cat waiting at Tierheim Darmstadt in Darmstadt.

An adult cat usually shows their personality within a week. Give them a quiet room with everything they need (food, water, litter, hiding spot) and let them choose when to explore. Don't force interaction — every cat decides for themselves when a new home counts as home.

🇩🇪Adopting from Germany

German rescues typically require an in-person home visit (Vorkontrolle) or detailed video home check before approving adoption. Animals leave the shelter sterilized, microchipped, and with a valid EU pet passport. Adoption fees usually fall between €250 and €450, covering veterinary preparation.

Darmstadt, Germany — browse more cats in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Josefine, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Josefine?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Tierheim Darmstadt handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Josefine on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Josefine if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Tierheim Darmstadt will tell you what they need (EU pet passport, rabies titer, transport coordination) and whether they handle transport themselves or refer you to a partner. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.
Is Josefine already vetted, vaccinated, and chipped?
Most cats on TailHarbor leave their shelter with sterilization, current vaccinations, microchip ID, and an EU pet passport included in the adoption fee. The vet status on this page reflects what the shelter has reported — ask them directly if you need details on specific vaccines, recent bloodwork, or chronic conditions.
What happens if Josefine isn't the right fit?
Every reputable rescue accepts an animal back if the adoption genuinely doesn't work — that's part of the standard contract. Talk it through with Tierheim Darmstadt early rather than rehoming privately; they know Josefine and can place them more successfully than a second-hand listing can.
Why does the description sometimes read awkwardly?
TailHarbor translates shelter descriptions into English from the source language (DE). Translation is imperfect — names of streets, donors, and shelter-specific terms occasionally slip through unidiomatically. For the cleanest read, click the source link to see the shelter's original page.
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