What Are The Odds?

One of the most frequently asked questions we get at The Odd Cat Sanctuary is “What is an odd cat?” To answer that, we have to go back to the beginning and talk about why our founder, Tara Kawczynski, decided to start The Odd Cat Sanctuary in 2015.

A veterinary technician with a lifelong passion for rescuing animals, Tara noticed that cats that weren’t considered “perfect” were less likely to be rescued and adopted. Cats with medical needs, physical differences, behavioral challenges, or simply unconventional appearance were being overlooked. She knew her purpose was to start a rescue that would not only highlight these special cats, but also show the world that different doesn’t mean you’re not worthy of love.

Being an Odd Cat doesn’t mean broken or unlovable or less deserving. It simply means different. And different is okay. Over the years, Odd Cat has adopted out cats with missing limbs, missing eyes, blind cats, incontinent cats, semi-feral cats, feral cats, senior cats, and even cats that might just look a little different. These cats aren’t broken. They don’t need to be fixed. They need understanding, patience, and the chance to be seen for who they are. When we change how we define an adoptable cat, so many more lives can be saved.

Shifting Perspective

When I first started fostering for The Odd Cat Sanctuary, my second foster was a Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH) cat named Phoebe. CH is a neurological disorder causing balance issues, uncoordinated movement, and wobbling. While it may look troubling to those who aren’t familiar with it, CH is not painful, and it is non-progressive. Cats with CH can live long, happy, and healthy lives.

When Phoebe first arrived at my house, I didn’t know much about CH. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. She had the cutest stomps when she walked, but after a few steps, she would often fall over. I found myself wondering if this is a good life for her. I shared how I was feeling with Tara, and what she said to me changed everything. She told me to look at what she can do, not what she can’t. So I shifted my perspective. Yes, Phoebe falls, but you know what she does next? She gets back up. She plays. She loves to eat. She uses her claws to climb up whatever she wants. She snuggles. She purrs. And she loves her life. Phoebe doesn’t know she’s any different, so I don’t treat her that way. There are some accommodations she needs, but wouldn’t you make accommodations for anyone you love? This is all we want for all of our Odd Cats. They all deserve it. I foster failed Phoebe, and she continues to amaze me every single day.

Challenges

One of the biggest challenges we are facing is finding foster homes. We are asked daily to take in cats who desperately need help, but without available fosters, we just can’t say yes as much as we want to. Finding foster homes can be difficult for any rescue, but it’s especially difficult to find fosters for cats with special needs. Many people worry they won’t have the experience or knowledge to foster a special needs cat, but most of what these cats need can be taught and supported. All it truly takes is compassion, patience, and a willingness to try. What we’ve learned is that once people take the first step and adopt a cat with special needs, they often realize how rewarding it can be. They just need to take that chance. These cats may require some extra care, but trust us, they give back so much more than they take.

Get Involved

There are many ways you can help The Odd Cat Sanctuary and your local rescues. Even if you can’t foster, you can transport cats, help process applications, assist with TNR, donate, or share social media posts. Sharing our posts and spreading the word about our mission helps these cats get seen and understood. Even actions that seem small can make a huge difference.

Our hope is that we inspire people everywhere to see perfection in all cats. We truly believe there is a match for every cat out there, even the ones who are odd.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and visit our website here.