Paralyzed Kitty Honored With ASPCA's "Cat of the Year" Award

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Scooter is no ordinary cow kitty. Four years ago he was brought into Harts Run Clinic in Pittsburgh, Pa. after being found by a dog. The tiny kitten showed no visible signs of injury, but was in shock and paralyzed from the waist down.

Veterinarian Betsy Kennon was working at the clinic at the time, and decided to save Scooter instead of putting him to sleep. Clients of Harts Run helped raise $300 to get him a customized wheelchair, which he uses to get around, and visit patients at a local rehabilitation hospital every week.

Dr. Kennon tells CBS Pittsburgh of her cat's incredible impact on a stroke victim who never spoke: “We put Scooter up onto her bed and he snuggled right up to her. And don’t you know, she pet him, she opened her eyes, she was talking to him. And I thought that’s really cool. And when I turned around and looked, the recreational therapist and nurse were both in tears.”

Scooter's story has been featured in Reader's Digest, and the extraordinary feline is now packing his tiny bags for New York City, where he will be honored with ASPCA's "Cat of the Year" award.

"He brings them a little bit of happiness, a little bit of joy, and a little bit of hope that things are going to get better," says Dr. Kennon of the therapy cat.



Via CBS Pittsburgh