Kind Woman Opens Her Heart And Home To Four Special Needs Cats With Tragic Pasts
Let me introduce you to Yvette, a kind-hearted woman who has a deep love for cats.
What makes her truly remarkable is not only her willingness to adopt cats in need of a second chance, but her commitment to taking in cats with special needs, providing them with the life they deserve.
Her journey as a cat parent began when she adopted Ivar. His backstory is heartbreaking, but his luck changed when Yvette came into his life.
Yvette found Ivar as a kitten on Galveston Island, but little was known about his past. He was either abandoned by his mother or his family.
His aggressive behavior kept potential adopters away, but it was soon revealed that his aggression stemmed from improper socialization.
What’s more, Ivar was also blind, and his aggression likely came from a fear of the unknown.
When Yvette first saw Ivar, she knew adopting him would be a challenge, but she was determined to give him the life he deserved.
The moment she saw his “surprised” expression, she was all in.
Not long after adopting Ivar, Toad came into the picture. Toad wasn’t in any better shape than Ivar had been.
Born with Radial Hypoplasia, a condition that affects the development of his front limbs, Toad was another special-needs cat in need of a home.
Yvette knew adopting Toad was the right thing to do, just as she had with Ivar. She learned that cats with special needs can love just as much as healthy cats.
As she put it:
“Toad is a love bug all day long. He wants everyone to love him, and he just wants to play and eat snacks. Toad is an all-around happy little guy.”
Through these experiences, Yvette realized her calling was to adopt cats with disabilities who were often overlooked.
She believes that different doesn’t mean difficult, a sentiment that rings true for her and her growing family of special-needs cats.
Her journey continued with the adoption of Jenni and Fred, siblings born with Tibial Hemimelia, a condition where their back limbs were either short or lacked a tibia bone entirely.
Along with these four special-needs cats, Yvette also has a Maine Coon named Alice, whom she affectionately calls “the queen of the house.”
Yvette recognizes that each of her cats has their own personality. Ivar, in particular, is more temperamental, so introducing him to her other cats was a challenge.
He needed time to adjust to changes, and it took about three weeks for him to accept and bond with the others.
Caring for special-needs cats demands patience and attention. Yvette ensures each cat’s needs are met, especially when it comes to creating a comfortable and safe environment for them. She explains:
“Jenny and Fred require stairs and low entrance litter boxes. Toad requires several throw rugs throughout the house because he bounced from place to place, and rugs help stabilize himself better when landing.”
Despite their differences, her cats mostly get along. Of course, there are occasional disagreements, but that’s to be expected with multiple cats.
For Yvette, the most important thing is that she is happy with her mission, loving and caring for all her cats.
She wouldn’t change a thing and feels incredibly fortunate to have them in her life. She shares:
“I would say to anyone considering adopting a special needs cat to research the cat’s condition to assure they can accommodate their needs emotionally, physically, and financially. But, a special needs cat is as loving and playful as any other cat.”
While adopting a special-needs cat comes with added responsibilities, Yvette’s story proves how rewarding it can be.
I believe that some people are truly meant for this kind of work, and after hearing Yvette’s heartwarming journey, you might be inspired to consider it too!
