Heh....Blind Terrorist Rowdy came here declawed and talk about Don Quiote -
he is the alpha cat and bullies the aging ladycats here who were most
peaceful before his arrival.
Your cat is shy for some other reason than that, I think ill treatment from
hoomins maybe.

So glad to hear you're keeping her. I think she just needs time and
patience. Lots of purrs to you both.

I don't know anything about declawed cats either, but she sounds
sweet.  Purrs that she comes around.

    I have two declawed rescues that were that way when we got them
and four with claws.  The declawed ones were here first, so it may not
be the same, but they all are socialized if not always social.  I
think the advice voiced by others about needing love and time will
prove correct.

Regards and Purrs,
O J

Purrs and hugs,

<snip

Some animals that are damaged in some way like declawing feel
defenseless and become fearful. But I have noticed over the years an
alpha personality is not affected this way. So you take a timid cat
and declaw it and it becomes a shrinking shadow. I would like to
declaw the idiot who did that to such a sweet, timid cat.

Any time I have had contact with a timid critter among more normal
critters, I have acted as the backup or "big Brother" to the timid
one, petting and encouraging the cat to eat while I pet and protect it
in front of the others. My Djoser is not declawed; but before I got
him he was terrorized by two tomcats and several dogs and a mean man
with a loud voice. Ten years ago i brought him home and protected him
in this way. Six months later, you would never know he was timid at
one time. Remember the story I posted awhile back. "Tactics of feline
warfare". He has become The Black Panther.

Your poor little kitty can't defend itself, so you have to. You have
to let the cat know that you won't let anyone take advantage of no
claws.

I hope I have helped you to deal with this dilemna. Purrs for a happy,
successful integration.

CATherine