My name is Shirley!

Meet Shirley — The Sweet, Wobbly Little Tabby With a Big Heart.

Shirley came to HART with her sister Laverne and has grown into a gentle, affectionate young cat with a soft personality. She can be a little shy at first, but the moment you pick her up, she melts into your arms and starts to purr. She loves comfort, calm voices, and gentle handling.

She enjoys lounging on cat trees, batting around spring toys, and chasing crinkle balls. Her wobbliness doesn’t slow her down one bit — she plays, explores, and enjoys life just like any other kitten, just with her own adorable wiggle.

She gets along wonderfully with other cats and kittens and has no trouble navigating life with her CH.

What Causes CH (Cerebellar Hypoplasia)?
Shirley’s wobbliness comes from a neurological condition called Cerebellar Hypoplasia, which occurs when the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination doesn’t fully develop before birth. This can happen if:

- The mother cat was exposed to feline panleukopenia (distemper) while pregnant
- The mother received a panleukopenia vaccine during pregnancy
- The kittens experienced illness or poor nutrition in the womb

CH is not contagious, not painful, and not progressive. Cats like Shirley simply grow up learning to move in their own unique way. They live long, happy lives and often become incredibly loving, trusting companions.

Personality Highlights:
- Shy at first, but purrs when held
- Sweet, gentle, and affectionate
- Loves lounging on cat trees
- Enjoys spring toys and crinkle balls
- Wobbly from CH, but confident and capable
- Gets along beautifully with other cats and kittens

Ideal Home:
Shirley would thrive in a home that:
- Is calm, patient, and understanding of shy or special‑needs cats
- Has other friendly cats or kittens (optional, but she enjoys them)
- Can provide safe spaces for her to climb, nap, and play
- Wants a gentle, loving companion with a unique charm

Shirley is ready for her forever home — one that will love her for the sweet, wobbly, affectionate girl she is.

If you are interested in any of our kitties, you must complete an online cat adoption application available at www.rescueahart.org/adopt/cat-application. The application will put you in touch with a HART volunteer.

All HART kittens and cats are vet checked, combo tested, spayed or neutered, up to date on all vaccines, microchipped, and on flea and tick preventative.