According to the ASPCA, 2.1 million cats are adopted from shelters across the United States each year, but some cats have it easier than others. Cats with special needs are towards the bottom of the “most likely to be adopted” rankings.
Pets with impairments, physical issues, and even disfigurements are frequently overlooked, especially since people assume that the care required for these animals is beyond their financial or emotional means. Special needs pets, on the other hand, are frequently a lot simpler to care for and love than people realize, and they may be some of the nicest pets conceivable.
BCHS was entrusted with providing the care that the tiniest of kittens need until they were ready to be adopted into their permanent homes, a crucial function that most animal shelters throughout the globe try to offer.
When Onyx’s kittens were old enough to leave their mother, everyone at the shelter was certain that they would all be quickly adopted… but no one seemed to share that excitement for Onyx herself. Onyx was born with a cleft palate, after all.
The tissue that makes up the roof of the mouth does not come together fully during pregnancy, resulting in a cleft palate.
It’s a congenital birth condition that affects more female cats than male cats, and it’s more frequent in some breeds than others. According to the website PetGuide:
“Experts believe that additional elements, in addition to being inherited, may be to fault. A cleft palate, for example, might be caused by a pregnant cat being exposed to teratogenic substances that interfere with embryo development, or high quantities of vitamin A and vitamin D.”
When Onyx came to BCHS, a vet examined her and found that she would not require surgery due to health concerns, and that her cleft palate did not affect her in any way.
Onyx’s cleft palate has the greatest impact on her when she gets a little piece of food lodged between her teeth. She experiences a sneezing episode on such instances.
Even still, Onyx’s permanently odd appearance can repel potential adopters much too readily, to the point where they may not enquire about her requirements (which most supporters of pet adoption highly advise).
Cindy had only been working at the shelter for a few weeks when Onyx and her brood of kittens arrived. But she knew she had to have Onyx the moment she saw her.
“The first time I saw her, I fell in love with her right away,” Houk told The Dodo. “I have two special needs children, and everybody with special needs has a particular place in my heart.” “There was simply something about her adorable face that was so lovely.”
BCHS has a policy that requires shelter personnel to wait 90 days before adopting. It’s common for newcomers to the sector to want to adopt all of the animals, even if it is beyond their financial means, thus this regulation serves to safeguard everyone involved in a nonbias manner.
Cindy went to Onyx every single day for 90 days, without fail. And she grew more enamored with the small black kitten with the cleft palate with each passing day.
Over the course of those 90 days, no one else seemed interested in adopting Onyx, confirming Cindy’s suspicions that the two were meant to be.
“I showed cats to a lot of individuals who wanted to adopt them, and she was the only one who didn’t want her,” Houk added. “It was painful, but I was also relieved that my time would come and I would be able to take her home.”
Cindy wanted her entire family to adore Onyx, so as the 90 days drew up, she brought her entire family in to see him. Cindy believed that Onyx’s uncommon facial traits wouldn’t bother her family because being different was already a part of their life.
“After meeting Onyx, my daughter, who has Down syndrome, returned home and informed her father that Onyx deserved to be a part of our family since she, too, had unique needs. I just wanted her because I knew she needed a nice family that would appreciate her for who she is.”
Because no one had stepped forward to adopt Onyx by the conclusion of the 90-day waiting period, Cindy was able to adopt her and bring her home.
It was clear after only a few weeks that this was the right match for both the cat and the family. Onyx’s personality has blossomed in her new home, and she is now one of the most chatty and lively cats you could imagine.
