Special-Need Animals Stories

Clark the cat lying on a bed and looking out of a window

Love for cats with special needs runs in the family

When Jill visited the Sanctuary, she wasn’t planning to bring home a new cat whose back legs don’t work — but then there was Clark.
See how it was meant to be
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Daisy the dog, lying next to a person whose hand is hugging her

Dog has two legs, unlimited supply of love

Daisy went from a shelter to a home with an adopter who can’t get enough of her endless smiles.
See Daisy in action
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Leon the blind orange tabby kitten lying on a blanket

Blind kitten with the heart of a lion

Leon lost his eyes when he was a tiny kitten, but today he’s having the time of his life with his best kitten buddy in his new home.
Read about his progress
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Float the dog smiling and lying against a person whose arm is around him

Lessons from one blind dog led adopters to another

When a retired couple on vacation met a blind dog named Float, they knew their past experience would help provide him with a home where he would thrive.
See how he fit in
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Bonnie the senior schipperke sitting on the floor

Senior, sassy schipperke finds love, acceptance in her new home

With limited vision and arthritis, Bonnie is not a fan of surprises, but after medical care and time to unwind, she met an adopter who is making her golden years truly shine.
Read about her progress
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Moogan the dog looking up with a toy between his front feet

Blind dog can still find his favorite things

When he was younger, Moogan’s vision started to fail, but he doesn’t let anything slow him down.
Read about his zest for life
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Bella the dog being adopted from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Survivor dog starts a new life with a loving family

Leaving her traumatic past behind, Bella finally gets the chance to enjoy what it really means to be part of a family.
Read Bella's story
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Norbert the kitten with three legs, lying on the floor wearing an orange outfit

Life on three limbs can’t slow down this kitten

Norbert came to Best Friends missing part of his back leg, but time in a foster home and surgery helped the kitten seize the moment (and the curtains) without missing a beat.
Watch this foster-win
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Sherman the dog wearing an orange bandanna and in a person's lap

Scruffy dog has trouble walking, lands his perfect home

Sherman’s foster family couldn’t let him go, so they adopted him and got creative when an old leg injury made it challenging for him to get around.
Watch Scruffy's video
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Clara the rabbit with head tilted, next to a hedgehog stuffed animal

Bunny with a head tilt gets second chance at Best Friends

Abandoned rabbit named Clara gets daily massages and therapy until she has a new family to call her own.
Clara finds a new family
Best Friends Magazine
Person wearing medical attire lying on ground with Willie the puppy

Blind puppy learns how to navigate his world

Willie may not be able to see, but with help from his foster family, he can tackle any obstacle (except maybe going downstairs).
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iHop and Waffle House the rabbits with greens to eat

Blind bunny and her seeing-eye brother find safety at Best Friends

IHop may not be able to see the world around her, but with her brother, Waffle House, by her side there’s nothing to fear.
Best Friends Magazine
Lauren holding Cory the cat

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.
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Raisin the cat eating from his special raised feeder

Best gift ever for an orphaned kitten with megaesophagus

For his first birthday, Nino got the best gift possible: a home, and his family.
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