Dora the Explorer came to Happy Cats Haven with her mighty band of five kittens, all ready to begin a safer adventure than the one they had known outside.
Their foster mom, Maureen, welcomed the whole family in her care, giving Dora a calm place to raise her babies. Once the kittens were weaned, Dora was folded into the shelter to work with our wonderful behavior team, who gave her the time and patience needed to begin overcome her fears.
Four of Dora’s kittens were healthy, confident little ones adopted almost as soon as they were ready. The fifth kitten, Backpack, needed a little extra help finding his way.
He was much smaller, at only about half his sibling’s size. He had a class 2 malocclusion (a severe overbite that made it difficult to eat) and one of his little legs had been injured and healed improperly prior to his coming into care.
But Backpack had something very important: determination and kind people who believed in him. Dr Quinn guided Maureen in performing physical therapy for his little leg, as it was too late to reset the old injury. With good food, patient care and plenty of encouragement, Backpack grew stronger and his tiny body caught up with his huge spirit.
When adoption time came, he watched his siblings head off to their new families one by one. Soon, he was the only kitten left. For a little guy who had already worked so hard, Maureen knew he deserved someone who would see the brave, sweet kitten beneath the special-needs label.
So she sponsored his adoption and reached out to her coworker, Jodi, who had recently adopted a young solo kitten named Calliope. Calliope was just a bit older than Backpack and needed a friend. Backpack needed a family who would welcome him exactly as he was. It was a perfect match.
Today, Backpack is all settled in with Jodi and Calliope. His once tiny frame has filled into a floofy, handsome boy, a lot like mama Dora. Best of all, Backpack is eating just fine.
Though he still has a slight overbite, Jodi’s veterinarian found he did not need his adult canines removed. The little kitten who once struggled to keep up with his siblings has grown into a happy, healthy, beloved cat.
As Backpack has proven, “special needs” often just means a cat needs someone special enough to give them a chance, as foster mom Maureen did.
From a tiny kitten with a wonky arm and an uncertain future to a floofy young gentleman with a sister, a family and a full bowl, Backpack has packed a whole lot of courage into one little life. And now, his greatest adventure is the one every Happy Cat deserves: home.
