When four tiny kittens arrived at Tabby Tails Cat Rescue, they seemed like just another litter in need of a safe place to grow. They’d been born in a feral colony, and their mother was humanely trapped and spayed so she wouldn’t have to struggle through more litters. But as rescuers took a closer look at the babies, they quickly realized these kittens weren’t ordinary at all.
Three of the four were born with charming little paw deformities that make their feet look like mini claws. The quirks don’t slow them down much right now, but they would’ve made surviving an Ohio winter nearly impossible. Their rescuers are grateful the kittens were found when they were — and even more grateful for how well they’re doing.
“They all get around way better than expected,” Kay Banks, founder of Tabby Tails Cat Rescue, told The Dodo. “They run and play like normal kittens. The boy with the most severe deformities also has shorter legs. I expect he may develop arthritis later, but he’s already doing laser treatments and taking joint supplements to give him the best start possible.”
Tabby Tails has plenty of experience caring for cats with special needs, so these little ones fit right in. Banks initially assumed the kittens’ biggest challenge would be learning to trust people — but they surprised her there, too.
“They're incredibly friendly,” Banks said. “I expected we’d need to spend time socializing them since they were outdoor kittens. But nope! They’re total love bugs. They start purring the second they see me. I adore them.”
Banks will continue evaluating the kittens as they grow. If their needs remain manageable, they’ll eventually be placed in loving adoptive homes. If not, they’re welcome to stay at the sanctuary for as long as they need.
“Here at Tabby Tails Cat Rescue, we see all kinds of disabilities,” Banks said. “Most of our cats do everything a non-disabled cat does — just in their own way. We have paralyzed cats who still climb cat trees, wobbly cats who sprint from me at medicine time, and blind cats who get to the top shelves. Cats are incredible. They adapt so beautifully.”
For now, the kittens are exactly where they belong — safe, adored, and free to grow, play and thrive.
If you’d like to support their care, you can donate to Tabby Tails Cat Rescue.
You can follow Tabby Tails Cat Rescue on Facebook and TikTok.
