Spinal-injured cats' journey toward mobility

Aloha, everyone!

We are Skyla and Don Hammond of Clowder House Feline Rescue , based in Waianae, Hawai'i, rehabbing a growing number of spinal-injured cats. While we pour our love and resources into help these cats walk again or provide them better mobility options, it's taking a toll. Surgeries, medicine, therapy, and baby diapers add up, but nothing will stop us from our mission. But we want you to be a part of their love regimen, too!

Lieutenant Dan: (pictured) needs a costly ($6,000) amputation of a leg that cannot be rehabbed. Afterward, we will help him learn to walk on three. He's already trying, but one of his legs is frozen in place and is actually getting in the way of his journey toward mobility.

Bandit: was the first of the spinal-injured cats we sought to rehabilitate after he was rescued following being shot by a pellet gun. He's made such great progress in the years we've been able to help him with his rehabilitation. The monthly acupuncture regimen, cold laser therapy, and hyperbaric chamber sessions are costly—not to mention the $6,000 tail amputation we recently splurged on—however, we know he will walk again.

Nyla: suffered a ruptured L3 vertebrae after being thrashed in a dog's mouth, Nyla's back legs are paralyzed, and we must express her bladder at least three times a day. Yet, none of this stops her from dragging herself around to see her newest toy or making playmates with our other spinal-injured cats in rehabilitation. As she grows older, she continues to outgrow her baby diapers, and any parent knows how costly those become!

Lilo: was dragging her hind legs and crying for help when a passerby picked her up and brought her to safety. After assistance from well over a dozen dedicated animal rescue volunteers, she's now with us to grow bigger and stronger.

Although she's currently paralyzed from the waist down, an amputation may help her chance at better mobility. Only time will tell!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read the situation these four babies are in. Please visit and follow us at our Clowder House Feline Rescue Facebook page to see how their progress is coming along and just how sweet and sassy some of them can be!