Caitlin McAuliffe
It’s no secret that we love cats and kittens with cerebellar hypoplasia (CH), so when Kegan showed up in our Instagram feed, we know we had to feature her! Not only do we enjoy raising awareness about CH, AKA “wobbly cat syndrome,” but we also love using our articles and videos to help find homes for cats with special needs who are available for adoption. We reached out to Kegan’s foster mom, Jen from Kitkat Playroom, an awesome woman we’ve worked with in the past, and she told us all about this spunky and sweet girl.
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It was a pleasure getting to learn Kegan’s origin story, including how Jenn rescued her from a shelter near Philadelphia on October 18, 2022, as well as what this gorgeous special needs kitten is looking for her in her forever home. We also had a great time working on the video about her, because this incredibly happy girl purrs seemingly non-stop, which is probably one of the most soothing sounds in the world! We hope you like learning about Kegan as much as we did, and we also hope you’ll share her story to help her find the perfect home.
Meow As Fluff: How did you end up meeting Kegan? Please provide some background about your first interaction with her, as well as what her life was like before she came to live with you.
Jenn: Kegan was brought to a local shelter with her mom and six siblings when she was just a few weeks old.
She spent six weeks in a cage with them before I heard she needed rescue. She was being trampled by her siblings and spent most of her time hiding from them in the litterbox. When I first met her, I was taken aback by how small she was and oh-so-cute!
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MAF: What made you decide to rescue a special needs cat?
J: When I first saw the photo of Kegan, she was a baby ginger girl who reminded me so much of baby Tate.
I fell in love instantly. I knew a lot about neurological disorders from my experience with Tate and I was sure I could help Kegan.
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MAF: Can you tell me the story behind her name?
J: Kegan means “little fiery one” which matches her coloring and also her confident and resilient spirit.
MAF: Can you tell me a bit about cerebellar hypoplasia and how it affects Kegan specifically?
J: Cerebellar hypoplasia is a neurological condition that affects a cat’s balance and coordination. Kegan is considered moderate so she can eat and use the litterbox on her own with some adaptations, but she does fall over consistently when she walks.
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MAF: What are some of the biggest misconceptions you think people have about cats with cerebellar hypoplasia?
J: Some people believe cats with CH are suffering but if you ever met Kegan you’d know she’s one of the happiest and joyful kittens ever! CH cats aren’t in any pain from their condition and are not at all suffering.
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MAF: What are some of the challenges — if any — you and Kegan have faced as a result of her special needs?
J: Kegan had trouble eating from a standard food bowl so I got her a tilted, raised bowl and she eats fabulously on her own now.
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However, she eats especially well when she sits in a lap and someone braces her.
MAF: What do you wish more people knew about special needs cats?
J: People are often afraid to adopt a special needs cat because they aren’t experienced, but what they don’t realize is that every cat is different. You and the cat will learn together about what they need to succeed!
MAF: What are some of Kegan’s favorite activities?
J: Kegan just learn how to pounce and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! She made friends with another kitten her size named Raven and they chase each other and wrestle in their own special way. She also loves to kick soccer balls. And she eats for 20 minutes straight!
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MAF: Can you please describe her ideal adopter?
J: Kegan’s ideal adopter will be willing to try different things to help Kegan succeed, perhaps ramps or other assistive devices. She loves to sit in a lap, so plenty of time to hold her. And I think most importantly, someone who will shower her with love!
MAF: What does she mean to you?
J: I absolutely love Kegan with all my heart. She reminds me so much of Tate as a kitten and is just as special. She’s truly a one-in-a-million kitten.
To learn more about this adorable kitten, you can follow Kegan on Instagram.
If you’re interested in adopting Kegan, you can complete an application.
