June 30, 2026, 2:43 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
When Sherilee “Shelly” Francis first saw a photo of Raven, she could hardly take her eyes off the black cat. Part of her face was covered with an emoji, hiding severe injuries. The animal welfare post explained that Raven had been kicked in the face and urgently needed a loving home, or she would have to return to the streets. Today, the former stray lives in safety. But the journey there was long and required an incredible amount of time and patience. In an interview with PETBOOK, Shelly shares Raven’s challenging yet touching story.
A Street Cat with a Tough Fate
Raven grew up as a street cat in Turkey. Her life was anything but easy. The little black stray caught the attention of an animal welfare project—not only because she cared for her kittens but also due to her severe facial injuries. “When Raven was captured, most of her wounds had already healed. The woman who rescued her had been observing her for some time,” says her owner, Shelly. According to a post by the animal welfare organization, Raven’s injuries were caused by kicks to the face. “The pain must have been unbearable—especially since she had to care for her kittens at the same time.”
Only after Raven was captured did the true extent of her injuries become visible. An infection had caused her to lose tissue around her mouth. Additionally, all the teeth on the left side fell out, causing her tongue to permanently hang out of her mouth. To this day, there is a thickening above her left eye that slightly pushes the eye downward. The scars and visible changes to her face will accompany Raven for the rest of her life.
Shelly Didn’t Hesitate for a Second
One day, Shelly came across the plea for help from Raven’s rescuers. “I wrote to the woman who published the post, and she told me that Raven was a shy, fearful cat who had already been through a lot. They had captured her so she could be examined by a vet and spayed at the same time,” she recounts. Shortly thereafter, Raven moved in with her.
For Shelly, taking in a rescue animal was nothing new. “Animal welfare has always been very close to my heart, which is why I took in Raven.” She had previously given a home to a severely injured cat. “At four months old, she was severely injured by a person with a rake and was left paralyzed.” With Raven, Shelly once again shows that even severely traumatized or injured animals deserve a second chance with patience, love, and care.
Raven Had to Slowly Rebuild Trust
Moving into a new home was just the beginning of Raven’s long journey back to a normal life. “Trust was the biggest challenge,” Shelly reports. The experiences on the street left deep marks. To this day, Raven is afraid of feet. “Even now, she runs away if we move our legs too quickly near her. That’s why we always have to move slowly and carefully.”
Allowing physical closeness was also difficult for the cat at first. “When she came to me, she wouldn’t let herself be petted. She would swipe at me, and her claws were always out.” For Shelly, this meant one thing above all: patience. With treats, lots of calm, and small steps, she gradually gained Raven’s trust.
It was only after a year and a half that Raven allowed herself to be held for more than a minute. What may seem commonplace to many cat owners was a very special moment for Shelly: “It was an incredible feeling and a huge milestone for the trust that had developed between us.”
Living with Other Cats Was Also Difficult
Raven had to slowly get used to more than just Shelly. In her new home, six other cats were already waiting for the newcomer. For a former street cat who had never lived in a household before, this was a big adjustment.
It took almost six months for Raven to accept her new roommates. “During this time, there were quite a few skirmishes, but now everyone gets along wonderfully.” Today, the former street cat is a natural part of the small cat family.
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Despite Everything, Raven Has Kept Her Own Character
During her time with Shelly, Raven truly blossomed. “Raven loves food more than anything. She eats almost everything you give her and loves playing with a cat wand,” her owner shares. However, the former street cat has never completely lost her feisty character. Every now and then, she still gives her four-legged roommates a swat.
Nowadays, Raven captivates many people on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. For Shelly, her story proves that a difficult past doesn’t have to dictate the future.
Why Raven Was Never Operated On
With the attention, however, come many questions. People often want to know if Raven’s tongue dries out. “The answer is: No. She keeps her tongue just as moist as any other cat and has never had any problems with it.”
Shelly is also frequently asked why Raven’s face wasn’t operated on. Several veterinarians examined the cat and came to the same conclusion: “All the vets agreed that Raven is a very healthy cat. She maintains an ideal weight, has no pain, and leads a completely normal life.”
For Shelly, Raven remains above all a true fighter. “She fought hard to survive. Given the severity of her injuries, it’s remarkable that she was able to find and eat food at all.”