How a cat named Flora got her second chance

When an animal shelter in Oklahoma had to close, Best Friends offered to take in some of the pets who needed a place to go. All across the country, Best Friends collaborates with shelters and rescue groups to help place pets in new homes as we work together toward the goal of bringing shelters nationwide to no-kill.

And that’s how 85 cats landed at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary — including a petite tabby with a serious expression and a wobbly walk. Her name? Flora.

While many of the other cats were adopted quickly or placed with nearby animal rescue organizations that would find homes for them, Flora needed a little more time and care to adjust to her new surroundings and show her true self to potential adopters. She was especially shy around other cats and preferred to keep to herself, often choosing quiet corners where she could observe from a safe distance.

Best Friends veterinarians realized early on that Flora has cerebellar hypoplasia, a neurological condition that affects balance and coordination. It’s a lifelong condition, but it doesn’t cause any pain or worsen over time. Flora’s case is mild — she’s just a little wobbly, which only makes her more endearing. With a few small accommodations, such as soft food bowls and easy-to-access litter boxes, she can climb, play, use the litter box, and eat on her own like a champ.

[Wobbly kitten gets by with help from his friends]

“She gets around pretty well,” says caregiver Riley Prewett. “She’ll kind of wobble and occasionally take a tumble, but it doesn’t hold her back.”

It didn’t take long for caregivers to discover that behind Flora’s serious face was one of the sweetest souls they’d ever met. “She always looks mad at the world, but she’s not,” says Riley. “We call it her resting grump face.”

Though she’s still shy around other cats and cautious in busy environments, Flora’s personality shines in quieter moments. “In the morning, she’ll come out and chirp for her breakfast,” says Riley. “Her meow is so tiny, it sounds like a kitten’s.”

And if you sit down near her? “She will find your lap,” says Riley. “She loves, loves, loves being in people’s laps.”

Flora also enjoys toys, especially if someone tosses a ball her way. Her playtime might involve a little toppling, but she always gets right back up. “Even if she flops over, she’ll bat at the toy from her side. It’s so cute,” says Riley. “She brings us so much joy. She’s a great example of what a cat with cerebellar hypoplasia is like. She can do everything she needs to do, and she’s just as loving — if not more so — than any other cat.”

[Wobbly kitten is steadfast lover of life]

Resting grump face? Check. Wobbly walk? Sure. Overflowing affection? Absolutely. Flora’s time at the Sanctuary helped her grow in confidence, show her sweet personality — and eventually win the heart of her adopter.

“She’s the happiest little thing,” says Riley. “She has so much love to give.”

Now she gets to share it all with a family who adores her — especially that irresistibly grumpy little face.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.