Rescued from a trench in Cape Town, William the special needs cat has become a foster legend. His wobbly walk and giant heart are changing lives, one kitten (and one human) at a time.
Cape Town, South Africa (25 June 2025) – When a scrawny, near-lifeless ginger kitten was found in a trench in Retreat, no one could have imagined just how many hearts he would go on to heal. But William, affectionately known as Willy Wonky, wasn’t just destined to survive, he was born to wobble his way into legend.
Discovered by workmen and rescued by the incredible team at TEARS Animal Rescue, William’s journey began with love, medication, and mushy food in the office of TEARS’ Operations Manager, Mandy Store. As he regained strength, his wobbly walk revealed a diagnosis: Cerebellar Hypoplasia, or “wobbly cat syndrome,” a condition affecting balance and coordination.
That’s where William’s story really begins.
Asked to foster this special needs kitten, his human, Catherine van der Linden, didn’t hesitate, and like so many good intentions, it turned into a full-blown foster fail. And thank goodness it did. Because William isn’t just a survivor, he’s a teacher, a clown, a friend to all, and above all, he’s Uncle William to dozens of foster kittens who pass through his home.
From learning to master the litter box (with a little help and perfect timing) to donning a padded beanie to cushion his adventurous tumbles, William’s daily life is filled with determination, charm, and an unwavering joy that seems to infect everyone he meets, including a rotating roster of high school students who adore his wobbly greetings.
William reminds us that being different doesn’t mean being less. In fact, it often means being more: more loving, more empathetic, and definitely more entertaining.
Thank you to TEARS for saving this little soul, and thank you to William, for showing us that life is better with a wobble.
by 