Disabled Cat Is So Happy To Make His First Friend After Escaping Euthanasia In Minneapolis

A tiny kitten named Snapple entered the world facing some big challenges. Born with cerebellar hypoplasia, his future seemed uncertain from the very start.

But Snapple’s life soon took a heartwarming turn, thanks to the care of a Minneapolis rescue group and the unwavering dedication of his foster mom, Kris.

Kris looked past Snapple’s condition and saw the lively spark in his eyes. She took him in as a foster, determined to give him the love and support he needed to thrive.

As Snapple grew, his cheerful, determined personality shone brighter each day, and Kris knew he deserved a forever family where he could continue to shine and live his happiest life.

Meanwhile, a couple from Hawaii started talking about their dream of adopting a special-needs cat, and that’s when they found Snapple’s foster mom, Kris.

They reached out, asking all sorts of questions. They’d never cared for a disabled cat before and wondered if they could handle the responsibility.

Kris guided them through everything. She explained what life with a CH cat looked like and shared tips and advice while giving them the confidence and hope they needed to take the leap and welcome Snapple into their hearts and home.

They decided to set up a meet-and-greet, and the woman hopped on a nine-hour flight from Hawaii to Minneapolis, eager to meet her new feline friend. The hours flew by, and before she knew it, she was there.

She spent the night with Snapple, soaking in every moment, and left the next morning with her heart full.

That brief but meaningful meeting was enough to convince her to make Snapple a permanent part of their family, ready to embrace the challenges and joys ahead.

Once all the adoption paperwork was finalized, excitement quickly turned into a bit of a hurdle. Hawaii’s strict animal quarantine laws meant Snapple couldn’t join his forever family for another four months.

Not wanting to leave him alone during that time, the couple reached out to Kris, asking if she’d be willing to continue fostering Snapple until he could finally fly home. Of course, Kris happily agreed.

Meanwhile, the couple made sure Snapple had everything he needed and even arranged therapy to help him manage his CH. They ensured to give him the best care possible until he could finally be with them.

Over those four months, Kris and Snapple grew even closer. But eventually, the long-awaited day arrived, and it was time for Snapple to start his life in his forever home.

Kris traveled with him to Hawaii and stayed with the family for a whole week to make sure the transition went smoothly.

She helped Snapple adjust to his new surroundings and offered comfort and guidance as he explored his new home and settled in with his loving humans.

Snapple’s forever home had one more surprise waiting for him: another kitty! That’s right, not only did he gain loving human parents, but he also got a furry friend to share his new life with.

Moana was the couple’s first “foster fail,” and it didn’t take long for the two kitties to bond. From the very start, they clicked, and Moana quickly became Snapple’s best friend and little guardian.

She kept him company and looked out for him as they navigated their new home together.

From the very start, whenever Snapple let out a meow or made a sound that hinted he might be uncomfortable, Moana would rush over to check on him, making sure he was okay.

She stuck by his side constantly after Kris left, maybe sensing that Snapple was a little sad to see his foster mom go. Even as he got more comfortable in his new home, Moana never stopped being protective.

Their humans say it’s like she just knows Snapple needs a little extra care. She’s endlessly patient, gentle, and loving with him, always ready to comfort him or keep him company whenever he needs it.

They feel like Moana’s mission is to help Snapple experience life like any other cat and to make sure he feels included and can enjoy all the little joys of being a kitty.

Thanks to her patience and protective nature, Snapple has gained confidence in exploring his new world, even with his physical challenges.

Their forever mom says the bond they share with Snapple is unlike anything they’ve ever experienced. It’s as if they’ve become part of him, as she shared in an interview:

“I wanna say we are his sixth limb. We call his tail the fifth one because he does use that to also communicate with us to tell us how he’s feeling, and to help him move around.”

What’s truly amazing about Snapple is that his CH doesn’t slow down his brain at all. He’s just as smart and curious as any other cat, as his mom shared:

“It’s not something that is painful. Snapple was supposed to be euthanized, and I believe he had a few days left. Foster mom, Kris, wanted to just give him the last few days of love and life. And she quickly realized that he had a lot of life and had a spark for life and it was not his time to go.”

Snapple is full of energy and joy. He lights up whenever he spots a toy, and his excitement is just as big when he sees his feline friend Moana. Life with him is pure happiness in motion!

Snapple joined his forever family when he was around 11 months old, and now he’s been living his best life with them for about three years. His humans hope to enjoy many more happy years together with their spirited little guy!

He’s healthy, lucky, and most importantly, a truly happy little boy. And it’s not just him, both Moana and his family feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have him in their lives.

Share Snapple’s heartwarming story with your friends and help shine a light on CH kitties everywhere. They deserve love, care, and a chance to live a joyful life just like any other cat.