Pixiebob kittens & cats in Herrin, Illinois

Lucky’s story starts with being left behind. 💙 Lucky and his littermates were put outside and abandoned when their previous owner moved away. Neighbors at the apartment complex kept an eye on them and tried to find help, but before a rescue could step in, Lucky suffered a serious injury to his leg. His finder and guardian angel rushed him to the veterinarian, where we learned that euthanasia was being considered because of the expected cost of treatment. Thistle Cat stepped in. Lucky’s leg was severely swollen, and X-rays revealed a small round object near what appeared to be a puncture wound. During exploratory surgery, the object was removed. It was a pellet. Lucky had been shot. We splinted his leg and started pain medication, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, and routine laser therapy, hoping desperately that his leg would heal and an amputation could be avoided. For weeks, we treated and rewrapped his leg. Unfortunately, it did not improve. Lucky initially still had sensation in his paw, but eventually that sensation disappeared. At that point, amputation became the kindest option. And now? Lucky is quite possibly the cutest little tripod you will ever meet. 🐾 He has an incredibly unique little meow, a huge personality, and absolutely no idea that he is missing a leg. Lucky is a wild man who loves racing around and playing with the other Thistle Cat kittens. Lucky must be adopted into a home with another playful cat or dog or he can be adopted alongside another Thistle Cat. Tripod cats can live long, happy, active lives with remarkable mobility. However, Lucky must be an indoor cat or have only secure, supervised outdoor access, because having three legs can make it harder to escape predators and other dangers. If you’re looking for a hilarious, playful, resilient little guy with three legs, one very special voice, and enough personality for four cats, Lucky might be your boy. And you may want to hurry. These tripods have a funny way of stealing hearts and being adopted much faster than four legged cat friends. 💙🐱

Oh, Rosalee. 💙 Rosalee came to us alongside Nora and Rhett, two other kittens who also found their way to animal control alone, without their littermates. Animal control told us Rosalee had been found in a ditch and brought in by a concerned citizen. She was sick, frail, and understandably scared. We nursed her back to health and quickly learned something very important about Rosalee: she is a shy girl through and through. Rosalee usually prefers to keep about four feet between herself and people, and if you approach her too quickly, she will make a very polite exit. 😹 She even has the cutest little cringe when offered pets, which somehow only makes us love her more. We have known many cats like Rosalee over the years. Some take months, and some take years, before they begin seeking affection, lying beside their people, and truly relaxing into a home. They may never become cats who enjoy being picked up, and that is okay. If you are looking for an instant lap cat, Rosalee is probably not your girl. But if you understand that love can look different for every cat, she may be exactly the kind of special companion you are looking for. Rosalee absolutely loves playing with her Thistle Cat kitten friends, and wet food dinner is one of the highlights of her day. Because of her shy personality, we know there is a chance she may remain a forever Thistle Cat. But we also know there may be someone out there who will love her exactly as she is and give her all the time in the world to feel safe. Rosalee does not need to be changed. She just needs to be understood. 🐾💙

Kiki was found by a previous Thistle Cat adopter after she came out from underneath a car in her apartment building parking lot. She was wet, disheveled, and incredibly hungry. Her finder tried to welcome Kiki into her home with her resident cat, and she truly gave it every chance to work. After several weeks of slow introductions, enrichment, counseling and guidance from Thistle Cat, it became clear that the resident cat simply was not going to accept a new sister. Kiki was being bullied, hiding, and becoming afraid to come out and play. So Kiki came to Thistle Cat, where she is now waiting for the loving, accepting family she deserves. 💙 Kiki is incredibly playful, affectionate, and has the sweetest little spirit. She loves just about every toy she can get her paws on, and her hammock basket in the cat tree is one of her absolute favorite places to lounge. For the first time in her young life, Kiki is ready to find a home where she can truly relax, play, and know that she belongs. 🐾