Paralysed, amputee kitten ‘determined to live life to the full’

A paralysed, amputee kitten survived a near-death ordeal and is now "determined to live life to the full."

One-year-old Charlie was found caught in a gin trap in Yorkshire last summer. His injuries were so severe that he had to have one of his legs amputated. Charlie was rescued by the RSPCA and later fostered by a woman named Claire Louise Welsh. She thought her kitten's troubles would end with his amputation, but some time later, she discovered that Charlie had lost all feeling from the waist down. "We take in so many poorly animals that have been through some terrible things and as a fosterer, you do prepare yourself for that," she said. "Although I never expected to be caring for a three-legged paralysed cat, I’m really glad we did!" Following his initial surgery, vets found that Charlie had suffered a slipped disc and the compression on his spine had led to him being paralysed. Claire said that Charlie's injuries didn't make her want to foster him any less. In fact, she said his paralysis actually helped form a bond between them. "The vet nurse brought him out to me and put him down on the floor, she cautioned me that he can be a bit nervous of new people and might hiss a bit," she said. "I was kneeling down on the floor on the opposite side of the room and with only the use of his front legs, he used every bit of his energy to drag himself over to me." "He pulled himself up onto my knee and gave me the biggest face rub with his wet nose – I just knew from that moment on that there was something extra special about him." Some time later, Charlie regained some of the movement in his remaining leg and started to work on building up whatever muscle he had left. Claire said that seeing his tail twitch for the first time "was the best day." "If Charlie wants to do something he will, he doesn't let anything get in his way," she said. "He has amazing determination and resilience. I have never met such a determined animal, he's truly inspirational." Images via the RSPCA.