Wisconsin Kitten Given Days To Live Gets A Nine-Hour Flight To A Beautiful New Life
Snapple’s life started with the odds stacked heavily against him, but a dedicated foster mom and a family willing to fly across the ocean gave this wobbly kitten the second chance he deserved.
A Bleak Beginning
Snapple’s life started with the odds stacked heavily against him. Born in a barn in Wisconsin, the tiny kitten had cerebellar hypoplasia (CH), commonly known as wobbly cat syndrome.
His condition made it difficult to balance and walk, leaving him vulnerable in a world that wasn’t built for a wobbly kitten. He was eventually taken in by a rescue in Minneapolis, but his future still looked incredibly uncertain.
In fact, the sweet kitten was scheduled to be euthanized. With only a few days left on his clock, he desperately needed a miracle.
A Foster Mom’s Leap Of Faith
A foster mom named Kris stepped in, intending only to offer Snapple a comfortable place to spend his final days. She wanted him to experience true love and warmth before he crossed the rainbow bridge.
But Kris quickly noticed something remarkable about the wobbly little cat.
Despite his lack of coordination, Snapple had a fierce spark for life. He was fighting to live, and Kris realized it simply was not his time to go.
The Search For A Special Cat
Thousands of miles away in Hawaii, a family was having a serious conversation. The narrator and her partner, affectionately called “Cat dad,” had been discussing their desire to adopt a special needs cat.
When they came across Snapple’s story, they immediately reached out to Kris.
However, the prospect of caring for a CH cat was daunting. “I said to her, ‘We’ve never done it before,'” his new mom recalled.
Kris patiently explained everything they needed to know. She built up their confidence, assuring them that they could handle his care if they were willing to try.
A Nine-Hour Flight For A Meet And Greet
To see if they were truly a match, Snapple’s future mom booked a flight from Hawaii to Minneapolis.
The nine-hour journey was a massive commitment just for a meet and greet, but she knew she had to see the wobbly kitten in person. She spent just one night in the city before flying back home.
By the time she boarded her return flight, the couple’s minds were made up.
They knew without a doubt that they wanted to be Snapple’s forever family.
The Long Wait To Come Home
Adopting an animal from the mainland to Hawaii is not a simple process. Once the paperwork went through, Snapple had to complete a strict animal quarantine process.
This meant he couldn’t travel to his new island home for another four months.
The family asked Kris if she would be willing to act as his guardian during this waiting period. They provided all the financial support for his food and medical appointments, and even started him on physical therapy.
Kris graciously agreed, ensuring the kitten was loved and cared for while he waited for his big journey.
An Incredible Reunion
Finally, the four-month wait was over. Snapple was ready to fly to Hawaii.
To make the transition as smooth as possible, Kris flew out with him and stayed with the family for almost a week.
This gentle handoff allowed Snapple to adjust to his new environment with his trusted foster mom by his side.
It was a beautiful testament to the dedication of the rescue community.
Finding A Fierce Protector
In his new home, Snapple met Moana, the family’s first “foster fail” cat. The two felines formed an amazing bond almost instantly.
Moana seemed to instinctively know that her new brother had a disability. She quickly took on the role of his fierce protector.
Whenever Snapple let out a scared or uncomfortable meow, Moana would rush over to make sure he was okay.
She is incredibly patient with him, wanting nothing more than to give him normal, happy cat experiences.
The Sixth Limb
Living with CH means Snapple navigates the world a little differently. He uses his tail, which his family calls his “fifth limb,” to help him balance and communicate his feelings.
His parents gladly step in to provide the rest of the support he needs. “I want to say we are his sixth limb,” his mom shared.
Importantly, Snapple’s condition is not painful, and it doesn’t affect his cognitive abilities at all. He is a bright, fully aware cat who just needs a little extra help moving around.
He was only 11 months old when he finally joined his family in Hawaii. Now approaching his third birthday, the kitten who was once given only days to live is thriving, proving that he truly is a happy boy.
