Willa's Info...
| Breed: | Calico | Color: | Gray Or Blue | Age: | Young |
| Sex: | Female | Hair: | Short |
I am a special needs pet, up to date with shots, and good with cats.
About: Not Spayed/Neutered yet (will be) • Up-to-date with routine shots • House trained • Special Needs • Primary color: Grey/orange tabby
BIO
Willa was born with deformed back legs - she is missing the tendon that connects her hip and knee and allows those muscles to work. She is not able to use her legs to support herself, and the most she can do is clench her toes. She moves (surprisingly well!) solely under the power of her front legs.
Willa is still a kitten and learning what she is capable of - she has no idea that she is disabled and feels no pain. She gets around amazingly well, moving like lighting to chase her toys, and climbing up the side of the bed to make it to the top! When I am at work, I keep her confined to a small area with vinyl on the floor so that she doesn't get into trouble or make a mess. Willa is currently unable to unable to use a litter box because she cannot get over the side. I express her urine several times a day and just pick up her poop and flush it. She is on a pretty standard schedule with meal times, and so her movements are predictable and really not a big deal. The vet says that she does have muscular control over those functions - the issue is her ability to get in and out of a traditional box. I am experimenting with solutions to this, as she has made it clear that she wants a place to bury her messes and is embarrassed about them. She knows she is supposed to use the litter box but she is not able to get inside it.
It sounds like a lot of work, and frankly, it is, but Willa is a fast learner and eager to please. I have not regretted taking care of her for a moment! Her personality is so charming. She loves people and is so affectionate and playful (not to mention really stinking cute). Unlike many kittens, she is content to sit in my lap purring and making biscuits for hours (I think she gets tired easier because her front legs do the work of four legs by themselves). She also loves my other cats and is very curious about everything. I think she would be fine in a house with other non-aggressive pets or children. I keep her separated from my cats purely because they are old, mean, and cranky and they would steal her food. She is not strong enough to stand up for herself in that kind of situation.
Approximate DOB: 6/22/2012
*Willa is pictured with her foster brother, Macintosh (who is also adoptable!).
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Rescue Group Info...
Tenth Life is an animal welfare organization that provides another chance at life to injured and abused stray cats. Our focus is on felines with extreme medical needs or ongoing conditions that make it difficult for typical shelters to afford their care.
Stage one of our mission is getting needy cats off the streets of St. Louis and into caring Foster Homes, where they await their forever homes. Stage two´s goal is to open a shelter building that will house special-needs kitties in a cage-free, no-kill setting until they can be carefully placed in their forever homes.
Please visit our website, www.tenthlifecats.org
All potential adopters are required to complete a comprehensive application and interview, and will need to supply proper identification, as well as personal and veterinary references. Our adoption fee is $100 for kittens 6 months or younger, and $75 for any cat over six months of age. Our fee includes spay/neuter surgery, vaccines to-date of adoption, and a microchip. Once approved, all adopters are required to sign an adoption contract.
Tenth Life serves needy homeless cats in the St. Louis area, offering them much-needed medical care, love, and finding them permanent, loving homes.