There should be a special type of hell for these owners..

I think the newest addition to our at clan, Vincent may have been beaten.

He's very afraid of the broom, and also would cower any time a hand was raised.

He's getting better about the hand, since we've been petting him, but is still afraid of the broom.

Vince has turned out to be quite the sweetheart, though.
He sits with me every day, is quite relentless about being petted and returns the love with a very loud purr.

it's an amazing transformation from a cat that used to live under an old car, and ran when approached.