Sarge is a trooper. As a cat born with cerebellar hypoplasia, she has issues with mobility. This rare developmental failure of the cerebellum in utero has affected her motor skills, coordination, and balance. Her case is severe enough that the tabby girl can’t walk. But that doesn’t stop Sarge from getting around!
With the help of cat hero Michelle Donlick, this loveable social butterfly gets to see the world from the safety and comfort of her clear backpack. And everywhere she goes, Sarge makes plenty of friends. A great thing for sure, because every time the pair meets someone, Sarge and Michelle can tell them all about the magic of the Avalo Cat Sanctuary!
What are Wobbly Cats?
Based in Wagner, South Carolina, the Avalo Cat Sanctuary opened its doors to felines in need when Michelle dedicated part of her 16-acre horse farm to caring for small exotic, domestic hybrid, and domestic cats. Along with 350 other cats, Sarge calls the place home.
One of many special needs cats at the sanctuary, Sarge, short for Sargenta, came to Avalo as a kitten of only a few months old.
Called also wobbly cat syndrome or simply CH, Dr. Cristina Walsh with Neffsville Veterinary Clinic of Lancaster, PA, explained, “It occurs most commonly when a pregnant cat becomes infected with feline panleukopenia, virus and it passes to her unborn kittens.”
“It can also be caused by trauma to the unborn kittens, malnutrition during pregnancy, or other inflammatory conditions contracted by the mother.”
Whatever the cause behind CH, the effects aren’t always visible at birth, but as Michelle told The Augusta Chronicle, “Once they start to develop, then you can see how they function.”
Some kittens only have a slight wobble in their gate, while others are left unable to walk at all, like Sarge.
Michelle told People, “She can’t walk at all; she lays on her side, and she kind of flops wherever she wants to go, but she’s not in any pain.”
Living Life to the Fullest
Though she needs help getting around, Sarge hasn’t let CH stop her from experiencing life! And to make roaming possible for the darling cat, Michelle tried to think of the best way to “tour her around.” That’s when she found Sarge’s ride.
“I was trying to figure out how we could tour her around, and I went on Amazon and found this backpack, and it was just the neatest thing with breathing holes.”
When visiting the Charleston Market, Shem Creek restaurants, and Sullivan’s Island beaches, Michelle said, “People were so excited to see us and meet her.”
“She just looks amused in the backpack. She sits there swaying back and forth, and she moves around a lot so that she can look out and see everybody,” shared Michelle. “She really likes the attention. She’s a really sweet girl.”
Be On the Lookout for A Travelling Trio
Sarge isn’t the only cat at Avalo who craves adventure. She has two special needs feline friends who are awaiting the arrival of their backpacks so they can go out frolicking too. Bengal cat Akimbo was paralyzed in a fall, and tortie Rita lost a leg in a car accident, but like Sarge, they want to see it all.
“Those guys love hanging out with Sarge, so the goal is to get to the point where we can take them all out in their own backpacks and all go sightseeing together.”
So, if you call South Carolina home, keep your eye keen for a trio of special needs cats on the go!
H/T: www.people.com
Feature Image: Avalo Cat Sanctuary/Facebook