Kitty is a special needs cat who was born with the feline equivalent of Down Syndrome; this precious cat went missing and was found 162km from home.
Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa (21 November 2022) – Kitty is one lucky cat; she was found 162km from home – thankfully safe and sound! Kitty is a special needs cat and her mom Junita was distraught after she went missing for seven days. Thankfully, she was taken to Wetnose Animal Rescue Centre and the team quickly started looking for Kitty’s owner.
Kitty and Juanita live in Vanderbijlpark which is 162km away from the rescue centre. Junita got her from a pet shop where the shop owner explained she had Down Syndrome. The pair have a very close connection so when Kitty went missing, Junita was very upset, she searched high and low, eventually taking to social media where she found Kitty advertised as a “found pet” by the rescue centre.
The story that unfolded left Junita gobsmacked and so happy that Kitty was unharmed on her 7-day adventure. According to the Wetnose team, Kitty was found in the garden of a man whose dogs were trying to catch her. He managed to get the dogs away and took the cat to his brother where she would be safe.
“Somehow Kitty slipped into the bakkie of a visitor, and found a spot were no one could see her. So Kitty was unwittingly swept away on the ride of her life.
The unknowing driver arrived at his home in Rayton, all the while Kitty was hiding, very scared and she didn’t understand what had happened.
The next morning the man heard a commotion from his dogs and saw Kitty in his yard. He knew she wasn’t safe there and not knowing where she came from, gave her to his brother.”
The brother gave Kitty to a friend but she escaped and was found roaming the streets. She was picked up and taken to Wetnose.
“Meanwhile back in Vanderbijlpark, Junita was doing everything she could to find Kitty and get her back safe. She tracked her down the same day Kitty was brought in to Wet Nose.
Kitty’s trip lasted a total of 7 days which, as many have experienced, can feel like a lifetime.
Kitty and Junita had the sweet reunion that everyone hoped for and are getting along well after the interesting and nerve-wracking experience they both endured.”
Kitty is now safely back home and very happy for it. Wetnose shared some insight into her condition. They explained that while cats cannot have Down Syndrome, this due to their chromosomal makeup, they can be born with chromosomal defects.
“It is absolutely possible that they can have a chromosomal defect causing the same symptoms as Down Syndrome in Humans, which is what Kitty likely has, making her and her journey very special indeed.”
Thank goodness Wetnose took notice of Kitty’s condition and could see she was a beloved pet. They took every step to make sure she could be reunited with Junita.
The Wetnose Animal Rescue Centre takes in all kinds of animals, providing sanctuary to those in need, and finding homes for the rest. You can find out more by checking out their social media page here.
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