Contorted cats deserve love too.
Pitoe, a 4-year-old British shorthair with a crooked spine and a sweet face, was almost euthanized as a kitten, according to her owners. But after being adopted by her merciful veterinarian, Pitoe now lives the carefree life that should befall all cats.
“Pitoe has severe scoliosis, which makes her body a lot shorter than any normal cat’s,” a woman named Marie wrote on Reddit. “Because of that, she has grown a lot more in width.”
Marie says that Pitoe, who now belongs to Marie’s grandparents, was brought to her parents’ veterinary practice as a kitten after a pet vendor who bought a “bad nest” decided that no one would want a cat with scoliosis.
“My grandparents — who adore animals — had wanted a cat for a while but were afraid to get one, as they feared it might jump over the balcony of their apartment and harm itself,” she explained. “My mom realized that Pitoe, due to her scoliosis, would probably be a very calm kitty.”
The doctor stepped in and insisted the cat join their family, which includes veterinarians who can make sure the special-needs kitty is properly treated.
Now, Pitoe lives a pampered existence with her keepers. Marie also started an Instagram page, @PitoeTheCat, for their one-of-a-kind kitty.
“The owner happily agreed,” she said, “and a match made in heaven was created.”
Pitoe’s curvature of the spine prevents her from being able to jump, “but she can waddle, run, play, and climb like a pro,” Marie said.
“She’s absolutely spoiled rotten, to be honest, as most of the day [my grandparents] are at home,” she continued. “So most of their attention goes to little Pitoe, and she’ll gladly accept it.”
Marie later told Bored Panda that her family was surprised by how “playful and active she can be,” and insists Pitoe is “pain-free.”
“She can’t jump at all … and one of her hind legs isn’t as functional, so she often drags,” said Marie. They also keep her on a strict diet to help Pitoe maintain a manageable weight.
“But she has no pain, which is the most important,” Marie continued. She also claimed that anyone who gets to know Pitoe in person will attest to her charisma.
“The first thing she’ll do when someone new comes around is waddle toward them and go lie on her back — no one can resist her after that,” she said.
Marie hopes that Pitoe’s success story will inspire others to take on challenging felines.
“It’s crazy to think how close she was to being put down, and now she’s the love of my grandparents’ — and our entire family’s — life,” she said. “It’s so worth it giving a special-needs cat a chance.”
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