The Scoop

Holly the Cat Lost Use of 2 Legs But Gained Love and Support

By Liz Acosta

, April 21, 2014

On Christmas Eve three years ago, Holly the kitten was injured by a large dog. No one knows what happened exactly, but three days later, Holly’s owners surrendered the black kitten to Castoff Pet Rescue.

What the vet saw was an otherwise happy and healthy kitten who could not move her hind legs. The vet treated Holly and the kitten went into foster care, with hopes that with enough treatment and attention, Holly would be able to walk again. Holly even visited a neurologist who confirmed that the kitty’s spine and spinal chord were intact. However, weeks passed without Holly regaining control of her legs, the weeks became months, and the months became a year.

Holly still couldn’t walk.

Though the kitten often tried her hardest to walk — and occasionally managed to balance on her hind legs — she failed to gain full mobility.

Two years later, a family offered to adopt Holly, but the adoption would have required the cat to be relocated. That’s when her foster person became a “foster fail” and decided to formally call Holly her own.

It’s been a long, difficult road for Holly, and, as her caregiver states, every step forward seems to be met with two steps back. Holly has a wheelchair that she’s steadily learning to use (much more difficult for a cat than a dog), but her inability to move her legs has caused her numerous bladder infections. Regardless, Holly’s human friends believe she will one day be able to walk again. And even though Holly isn’t able to walk, she still seems able to do almost everything else cats can do like:

1. Sunbathing

2. Loafing

3. Sunbathing

4. Stealing your seat

5. Sunbathing

6. Batting around glittery fuzzy cat toys

7. Sunbathing

Do you think Holly will be able to walk one day? We have our fingers crossed for Holly. Check out her Facebook page — which is where we got all these photos of her — and let her know that Catster sent you.

Laugh with us:

About Liz Acosta: Catster’s former Cuteness Correspondent, Liz still manages the site’s daily “Awws,” only now she also wrangles Catster’s social media. That’s why she wants you to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and — her personal favorite — Instagram. See ya there!