by Nomi Berger
 
1. Abyssinian
 
Not one to laze about, the Abyssinian keeps moving as she eagerly explores her indoor world. She’ll even allow herself to be leashed and walked by her owner if it means further investigation of the world outside. A great fan of both people and bird watching, adept at learning tricks, she much prefers playing to cuddling as her main form of social interaction.
 
2. Bengal
 
True to her “wild cat” appearance, the sharp-brained Bengal thrives on activity. Whether she’s outdoors running, playing and watching the birds or indoors leaping from counters and “climbing the walls”, keeping this kitty mentally and physically stimulated is key to keeping her happy. Use a clicker to teach her tricks, join her in puzzle playing, and this attention seeker is purr-fectly content.
 
3. Savannah
 
Part African Serval, adventure comes as naturally to the Savannah as her curiosity, and thanks to her magnificent leaping skills, takes her to the highest places, be it the top of the refrigerator or the tallest shelf in the room. She also reigns supreme when it comes to socializing with her people, loyally and lovingly shadowing them and even accompanying them on walks if they leash her.
 
4. Cornish Rex
 
Her head may be egg-shaped, but it’s certainly not empty. Extremely charming and exceedingly purr-sonable, the Cornish Rex relishes human attention and revels in tricks and puzzle games that involve both her and her devoted owner. She also LOVES being held, and with so little fur on her body, is winningly warm to the touch, making her the ultimate bed warmer on cold winter nights.
 
5. Balinese
 
Both inquisitive and entertaining, the Balinese loves being involved in whatever her owner is doing as much as she loves performing tricks. Add a touch of naughtiness to her niceness, and her sense of humor will keep her human not only “ooh”-ing, but “ahh”-ing in wonder. Given her druthers, she would cuddle all day, every day while whispering sweet kitty nothings in her chosen person’s captive ear.
 
6. Sphynx
 
Described as part monkey (due to her dexterity), part dog (due to her sociability), part child (due to her curiosity) and part cat (due to her intelligence and grace), the Sphynx is a sublime example of puss-in-boots purr-fection. Whether she’s defying gravity, mixing and mingling, exploring her world or showering her owner with love, she does it with elegance and poise.
 
7. Japanese Bobtail
 
Striking a splendid balance between social and solitary, the exotic Japanese Bobtail is one feline who fairly oozes confidence. Famously friendly and amazingly amiable, with a distinctive singsong “coo”, she’s exceptionally easy to train for performances in shows, and when she’s not nestling close to her owner for human companionship, she’s purr-fectly content to keep her own company.
 
8. Somali
 
Created, it seems, for mischief, the vividly colored Somali with her full, plumed tail and vixen-like cunning make her more fox than feline. With an insatiable curiosity that leaves no proverbial stone unturned, she navigates every nook and cranny of her inside world, wreaking havoc wherever she puts her paws. Fortunately, her good-natured sociability and easy lovability tip the scales in her favor.
 
9. Burmese
 
Boundaries don’t exist for the perpetually curious and enduringly playful Burmese. The world is her oyster filled with wonders that demand exploration, while her owner’s her own best friend whose moods she can read like an open book. As trusting as she is teachable (tricks come easily to her), she’s also fabulous fun to be around and can, with little effort, turn even the grayest day sunny.
 
10. Singapura
 
Addicted to admiration, the Singapura lives to be loved and to shine in the spotlight! Bristling with kittenish energy, this petite puss butts nosily into everyone’s business, earning her the title of “pesky people cat.” Known for her exceptional intelligence and effortless agility, she’s as nimble on her paws as she is at stealing hearts, making her endearingly lovable to those lucky enough to love her.
 
 
 
 
 

 by Nomi Berger
 
Their bodies may be imperfect, but their spirits are intact.
 
So it is said about special needs cats. Although caring for one can be challenging, an ever- increasing number of people are opening their hearts and their homes and adopting them. For this reason, many more cats facing certain euthanasia are being given a new lease on life.
 
Experts emphasize the importance of not viewing special needs cats as “handicapped” cats. Whatever their limitations, they’re not “aware” of them, and can make the same active, affectionate and playful companions as their healthier counterparts.
 
Adopters of special needs cats insist that the rewards far outweigh the work. Many use social media to share their experiences, interact with owners like them, and urge others to adopt cats with special needs. They don’t consider their chosen pets’ disabilities as either liabilities or shortcomings, and don’t believe they make them “lesser” cats.
 
Two such devoted adopters and dedicated advocates are Lucas Modrall and his girlfriend, Jennifer, who would travel regularly to the Humane Society in Oklahoma City in search of, yet never finding “the one” destined to steal their hearts. Until they saw Snickers. The cute and colorfully patterned calico peered out at them through the glass door, and they were instantly smitten. The flirty and oh-so-feminine feline had only one eye, but that only added extra sass (“Are you winking at me?”) to her overall appeal.
 
The absolutely adored 3-year-old not only has her own web site now, but her own Instagram account as well, faithfully followed by over 25,000 fervent fans, eager to keep tabs on this spokes purr-son for special needs pets everywhere.
 
“Our mission,” says Lucas, “is to showcase our sweet fur baby’s story and demonstrate just how many disabled pets are currently being loved by so many. The more attention Snickers receives, the more the word spreads, and hopefully, the more people will be encouraged to adopt other kitties in need.”
 
Click here to meet Snickers: https://www.instagram.com/snickersthecalicocat/

Our very own version of Snickers was, coincidentally, named Squiggles! A magnificent Manx kitten with a club foot, she was entrusted to us by her loving owner who knew we would provide her with the special care she needed until she was placed in the purr-fect fur-ever home.
 
Tenderly nurtured by her foster family, she quickly adapted to her deformity, actively run/hopping around and playing with the other cats. Adorably affectionate and quite the chatty catty, Squiggles eagerly followed after her fosters, joyfully lapping up all of the attention they lavished on her.
 
After two years with her fosters, she was adopted by a loving family with a special needs kitty -- a one-eyed cat aptly named Winkin – that wanted to open their home to another cat with special needs. Out of the two contenders, Squiggles not only had the personality and pizzazz they were looking for, but she shared the same birthday as her potential adoptive mom! That was the purr-verbial icing on the cake, and sweet and spirited Squiggles has been living happily in her fur-ever home since December 2015.
 
Like the owners of Snickers and Squiggles, adopters of special needs’ cats agree their own lives have been irrevocably changed, and for the better. By the endearing personalities, grace and determination of the cats they’ve adopted. By the gift of their cats’ contented meows and purrs, licks and cuddles. But most importantly, by the paws-itive example these cats have set and the inspiration they continue to provide.