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5-day-old Orphan Kitten Born Unable to Walk, Shelter Staff Make Tiny Splints for Him

5-day-old Orphan Kitten Born Unable to Walk, Shelter Staff Make Tiny Splints for Him

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In July of 2020, shelter staff discovered a 5-day-old orphaned kitten with a birth defect that left him unable to walk.

Knowing they were his only hope, they were determined to get this sweet boy back on his feet.

Keep reading to learn how this heroic shelter staff changed this tiny orphan kitten’s life forever!

Credit: Arizona Humane Society

An Orphaned Angel

Most shelter staff are used to taking on tough cases and doing whatever it takes to rehabilitate animals. 

So when a tiny infant kitten arrived on the doorstep of the Arizona Humane Society (AHS), they were prepared.

Zion was only five days old, orphaned with the rest of his litter and completely dependent on caretakers. 

In addition to needing round-the-clock care in AHS’ Bottle Baby Kitten ICU to survive without his mother, he was badly knuckling on his back feet and unable to use his legs normally. 

Credit: Arizona Humane Society

Helpful Heroes

AHS serves as a “safety net” for at-risk and vulnerable animals and has saved over 100,000 animals in the last six years, according to their website. 

An ethical no-kill philosophy, justice for abused animals, and promoting the human-animal bond are just a few of their values.

So if anyone could help this kitten walk again, it was the staff at AHS!

Equipped with live-saving programs and an experienced staff, the team buckled down and got to work.

Tiny but Mighty

Zion especially tugged at the staff’s heartstrings who were determined to try and help him walk again. 

It took some serious brainstorming and creative trial and error, but soon they had a solution: tongue depressor splints! 

Along with some gauze, medical wrap bandages, and tape, Zion soon had his own pint-sized splints.

Credit: Arizona Humane Society

Zion was finally on the verge of living a normal kitten life.

After a week of intensive work, lots of care, and even more love, Zion was finally able to walk on his own! 

Once staff were sure he was stable, he joined his littermates in a local foster home. 

Happily Ever After

According to AHS, Zion is the perfect example of “what a second chance at life truly means.” 

He continues healing at the foster home and waits for his adoption day, when he can finally meet his forever family. 

But until that day, he’s in good and loving hands. “He plays with his kitten and human siblings and will even fall asleep in his foster sister’s arms while helping her improve her reading skills,” the foster family gushed.

Credit: Arizona Humane Society

Zion and his littermates are just a few of over 1,300 orphaned kittens that AHS has rescued in this year alone. 

His success story proves that any kitten can be saved with a little creativity and a lot of love!


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Kim

Thursday 29th of July 2021

I am glad that Zion is doing better. I do not know how someone could leave a kitten disabled and not help him or her. I am glad that he has a good home. God bless.

Cathy

Tuesday 8th of December 2020

Thank you to those that saved this baby and ALL other animals!!! You are all angels !!! I'm disabled and have slot of medical issues, but I absolutely love all animals and would save every single one if I could !!!

Star

Monday 9th of November 2020

Thank you from one rescuer to another, I wish people understood that we choose to help these babies, we do this 24/7/365, there are no sick days, or holidays and we don't get paid. We are their last hope and we fight for better lives of all furries.

Mary

Friday 30th of October 2020

What a wonderful Story. The Kitten is so adorable.

Marcia Vogel

Friday 30th of October 2020

She is so sweet. Hope she finds a home soon. I have 3 disabled cats. I know first hand how special they are.