We adopted our boy Snowball 6 years ago. He used to live with a girl and apparently the boyfriend was abusive to him & we believe he made her give him up because he didn't like cats. (Lucky for us of course!!) We do not know to what extent he was abused but we could tell something was done to him due to his extreme fear of plastic bags.
When we first brought him home, he was terrified of all plastic bags. He would hide or run away whenever we would open a plastic bag or open a garbage bag. It took this many years & lots of positive reinforcement for him to stop being so scared of them. Snowball says "Plastic bags? What plastic bags?" Now he doesn't even take a second look.
It is so wonderful how a cat can heal from their previous home. Snowball knows abuse doesn't exist here. Now what exists is unlimited happiness & love!
I had to share! This is a very happy kitty moment for him & us
Heres our happy boy

Not afraid anymore!!