Two kittens are proving that life is better with a friend by your side after being transferred to an animal shelter in California.
Gelato and Sorbet, two 4-month-old cats born without one of their front legs, are now looking for a forever home together. The pair perfectly mirror each other, with Gelato missing his front left leg and Sorbet missing her front right, leading to them being lovingly dubbed "tripod cats."
Despite their difference, the brother-and-sister duo are often found playing together, or comfortably snuggled together. The shelter said: "Snuggled closer than most, due to each missing a matching opposite leg."
Rescuing Gelato and Sorbet
Helen Woodward Animal Center rescues animals like Gelato and Sorbet from overburdened shelters, often those facing euthanasia.
"Ninety-five percent of the animals that come to Helen Woodward Animal Center come us from overburdened shelters where euthanasia is a very real possibility," Jessica Gercke from the center told Newsweek.
"We have rescue partners all over the country who send us pets that are on a time clock. In particular, baby animals, who need months of medical care before they are ready for adoption, or special-needs animals, who may take a longer time to place, are top of the list."
Gelato and Sorbet arrived at the shelter just a week ago but quickly charmed staff with their hilarious personalities. "They are extremely funny, playful and social. They also adore each other," Gercke said. "We are requiring that they be adopted together as they have comfortably settled into a true bond of equals who play with one front paw each."
Caring for Tripod Cats
The main challenge for Gelato and Sorbet is that their remaining front leg will do twice the work of cats with two legs, meaning that they need to be cared for a little differently.
"This can lead to exhaustion or pain with overuse and would certainly put them in danger if they ever got outside," Gercke said. "Helen Woodward Animal Center requires that all cats adopted from us remain indoors and are never declawed, but in particular, the adopters of these cats should be doubly vigilant that they never escape outside."
The rescue also recommends a few other things to help Gelato and Sorbet in their day-to-day life, such as steps up to a favorite window and shorter scratching posts.
"A home familiar with cats and willing to provide some simple accommodations to keep them healthy and happy is our goal," Gercke said. "Obviously, if there are any dogs in the home, the dogs should be extremely cat-friendly and gentle.
"These cats have half the ability to defend themselves and should live a life of comfort and ease."
The adorable pair is now available for adoption from the center, and despite their differences, staff members believe they will thrive in the perfect forever home.
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