Gelato, a stray kitten with a lower-back injury, found a forever home after becoming known for his mobility device, according to Catster.
The kitten arrived at Cincinnati Animal CARE in Ohio. His injury left him unable to use his hind legs normally. The shelter's wheelchairs were too big for his body.
Mallory Smith, the shelter's lead veterinary technician, built a miniature wheelchair from cardboard, tape, zip ties, wooden rulers, and Hot Wheels toy cars, the report says. The first version needed adjustments. Later, an engineer created a custom 3D-printed wheelchair designed to fit his body and accommodate his growth.
The story drew social media attention. Hope Hollandsworth, a 28-year-old tattoo artist, saw a photograph of Gelato during the summer and adopted him at the shelter. The report says she already cares for two cats with spinal injuries, Bread Crumb and Sprinkles. The five-month-old kitten spent his first night in her arms.
Gelato will continue receiving therapy in the hope that he may regain some use of his hind legs. The report says his recovery is uncertain and depends on factors including the extent of the damage and the neur