Paralyzed cat is ‘paws-itively perfect’ and now he’s home

Cory’s special medical needs were a daunting responsibility to many potential adopters, but for Laurel they were what made him perfect.

By Best Friends staff

December 28, 2021

The moment that Cory, a young cat born with a paralyzed hind end and continence, arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, he was beloved. His round little face and attention-demanding meow were hard to resist, and whoever had a free moment ― staffers and volunteers alike ― soon found Cory in their laps, purring loud and contentedly.

His back legs never slowed him down. And he was always first in line at the back door when it was time to go on a supervised walk, immediately darting out into the sand and rolling around until he’d gone from a brown tabby to a reddish-pink puffball. Everyone who met Cory had a soft spot for the little guy. But his special medical needs were a whole lot of responsibility: He needed help going to the bathroom and regular baths to make sure he stayed clean and tidy. Adopters tended to shy away, but not all of them.

Cory the cat lying on a Kuranda bed

When Laurel Brothers saw a sponsored ad on Facebook featuring Cory, she fell for him hard. Nothing about his needed care phased her. In fact, that’s exactly what drew her in. In the past, she had loved another cat with the same special needs as Cory, so she already had the knowledge and skills required to make him comfortable and happy.

“When I saw him,” she says, “I was like … that’s fate.” She was so excited that she immediately booked her flight from Ohio to southern Utah, and within the week she had Cory in her arms for the first time, at last. He was just as perfect as she’d imagined. And just like that, Cory had a person to call family, and a place to call home.

Cory the cat reaching up with his paw while lying on a tie dye blanket