Saving Speedo the Cat

We were tasked with the challenge of fostering and rehabilitating Speedo, an adorable and loving kitten who was diagnosed with Swimmer syndrome. This is a rare developmental deformity of newborn cats, whereby the hind limbs, and at times the front limbs as well, are splayed laterally resulting in an inability or difficulty to stand or walk. However, after further evaluation, it was determined that Speedo had suffered additional nerve damage that would likely prevent him from ever being able to walk upright and rendering him incontinent. After almost two months of numerous vet appointments and hours of physical therapy, the shelter made the decision to euthanize Speedo as he was deemed "un-adoptable" due to his incontinence and low expected adopter pool...unless we could find him his forever home.Show more

Most importantly, Speedo is not in any pain, has no current or expected suffering and could live a long and healthy life. Euthanasia was decided simply because of a predicted small adopter pool. He is mobile, and besides his incontinence, he is very healthy. Additionally, Speedo is the most loving and sweetest kitten in the whole widest world.

So we made this video and shared Speedo's story with everyone that we could in the hopes to find his new forever home and save him from euthanasia. Within the first week we received so many messages from people all over the country wanting to help in some way and especially being interested in welcoming Speedo into their own home. It was such a blessing to witness all the love and support for this little guy, and to see how many wonderful people there really are out there.

Thankfully, we were incredibly fortunate to get in contact with an absolutely wonderful couple that actually lives in our area. They were able to see Speedo, and he seemingly captured their hearts immediately, just as he captured ours. They were so concerned and caring throughout this whole process, and so willing to do whatever it took to make sure Speedo had his fair shot at life. And we now have the comfort of knowing that he will have that fair shot, and will indeed live a long, healthy life full of the care and love he deserves, with two incredible parents and a new, older step-brother.