Hannah Shaw is a professional kitten rescuer who has fostered countless cats and kittens. In 2017, Shaw headed to her local shelter to pick up a newborn kitten. But while she was there, she spotted another kitten—a six-week-old cat named Chloe with a truly heartbreaking story.
Chloe’s back legs were paralyzed, and the veterinarian suspected that she got the injury when someone deliberately stepped on her back. She also had fleas and was covered in dirt and grime.
Shaw knew she couldn’t just leave this little kitten in the shelter, so she took her home with her too. The next day, she took Chloe to a veterinary clinic to get her checked out. While there, the veterinarian told Shaw that since Chloe had so many health problems there was a good chance she wouldn’t live to be an adult cat. Still, Shaw was determined to save this little kitty.
Despite all her health issues, Chloe was still an energetic, curious kitten who loved exploring the world around her:
“Things she likes: toys, soft sweet talking, gentle chin scratches, having her backside held up for her so she can walk around and explore using her front legs,” Shaw wrote on her Instagram page.
Shaw and her boyfriend wanted to help Chloe move around easier. And so, they decided to start exploring alternative treatments. That’s when they learned about acupuncture for cats.
Shaw and her partner brought Chloe to an animal hospital that offered acupuncture treatments. They were completely amazed by the results!
Shaw shared a video of Chloe receiving the treatment. She said Chloe was calm during the procedure. And then, afterward, she was able to stand!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUieTPeg-Fu/
The acupuncture was a great start, but Chloe still needed a bit of help getting around.So, Shaw ordered a 3D printed wheelchair for the little kitty.
It turned out, though, that a wheelchair wasn’t the right fit for Chloe—it restricted her movements too much. Chloe preferred pulling herself around on her front legs, and so Shaw let her do just that.
After three months in Shaw’s care, Chloe moved to her forever home in California.
She loves her human parents and her cat brother, Doogie. Chloe’s mom shares lots of cute photos of the kitty on her Instagram page.
Unfortunately, Chloe will never have full use of her back legs, but she doesn’t let that stop her from going where she wants to go and doing what she wants to do. As Shaw puts it:
“Chloe isn’t broken. Chloe is perfect. She has the happiest life, she is surrounded by love and toys and accommodations that make it easy for her to get around. She is happy, and the only sad thing about her life is how much we force our expectations onto her. To her, and now to us, she is already perfect.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhzGGtPgXES/?taken-by=_gochloego_
After her tough start to life, Chloe is now surrounded by people who love her and care about her. Chloe has a great life ahead of her!
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