Rescue Cat With Only Two Legs Is Living His Best Life After Being Adopted By The Right Person
In January 2020, a tuxedo cat arrived at a rural Utah shelter in terrible shape, with both front legs badly broken and no easy path forward. The people who found him thought he may have been hit by a car, and the shelter could not treat injuries that severe.
From there, the cat was sent to Best Friends Animal Society in Salt Lake City, where the team made a hard call: his front legs could not be saved, so amputation was the only way to give him another chance. What happened next turned a painful rescue into a feel-good adoption story.
He was named Rexie Roo, and his next chapter depended on finding exactly the right person.
The veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Society realized that for the cat to have a second chance at life, their only option was amputation.
There's a learning curve and a lot of pain involved in recovering from double amputation, but that didn't stop this grateful cat from giving it his best shot!
He spent time with more than one foster family and was always described as loving and affectionate.
Ready to find his forever home, he was dubbed Rexie Roo, and the search began for a person or family who could handle the lifelong care needs of a special needs cat.
The right person turned out to be Cairistiona Flatley.
Flatley saw Rexie Roo posted on social media and just knew they were a match.
Want another second-chance story like Rexie Roo’s? See how kind neighbors rescued an abandoned dog after he was abused.
Cairistiona rescued Rexie Roo and now manages his popular Instagram account.
Rexie Roo has over 2,000 followers on Instagram. Cairistiona has said that she uses the account and the cat as a positive example for other would-be adopters, many of whom might hesitate before taking in a disabled or special needs pet.
Cairistiona and Rexie Roo celebrated their first anniversary together in April of 2021.
The sweet cat turned out to be "very food-motivated," so naturally, the clever cat mom uses wet cat food to entice him into doing his at-home “physical therapy” sessions.
In an interview with People, she said:
“When people tell me I’m so kind for adopting a special needs cat and that he is lucky to have me, I can only think about how lucky I am to have him in my life. I love him so much, and he has brought me a lot of peace and joy in a chaotic and uncertain year. He loves to snuggle and eat, and so do I, so we’re a good match.”
“I think he can teach people a lot about patience, resilience, and love,” she added.
As many families of special needs cats quickly learn, Rexie Roo is not limited by his missing appendages.
Cairistiona has said that she is "constantly impressed" by how being a biped cat has not prevented Rexie Roo from "playing, running, and bringing joy to his family."
Rexie Roo has also inspired Cairistiona to pursue a life of animal advocacy.
“All animals are deserving of love, regardless of appearance or needs. I hope his story inspires others to adopt animals that may look or move a little differently. I wouldn’t change a thing about him.”
“My life is better because he is in it. I tell everyone he is the light of my life. It’s incredible how your heart is capable of expanding even more than you thought was possible.”
Rexie Roo's story is proof that the right match can change everything.
Rexie Roo’s double-amputation comeback is inspiring, but check Rex’s two doggo friends during anxiety attacks: Rex finds comfort with his two “doggo best friends”.
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