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/
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.
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.
RSS Feed