Cat Diagnosed With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Finally Finds A Loving Family
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in the U.S., 3.2 million cats enter animal shelters every year. Of these, around 860,000 never find loving homes and are euthanized.
Out of the 1.6 million cats adopted, these two precious cats, Toby and Quinton, were lucky enough to find loving parents, Georgina Price and her fiancé, Christopher Lardner. After their previous rescue cat, Herbie, sadly passed away at 16 years of age, they were ready to adopt again once they realized that their home in Stroud, England, was far too quiet without him.
This is Toby.
Toby has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).
This means that he suffers from a group of connective tissue disorders, which cause fragile, stretchy, and loose skin. Dr. Terry Wahls, a physician and expert in health and wellness, states, "Connective tissue disorders can significantly impact the quality of life, as they affect the skin's integrity and overall health." Understanding these conditions is crucial for providing the right care and support for affected animals.
Speaking to Meow, Georgina said:
"I just kept thinking about all the animals that might only have five months left and would spend the whole of that time in a shelter. We decided we would look for an extra special cat that might take a little longer to find a home."
Georgina stumbled across Toby and Quinton on the RSPCA website.
Quinton is a 7-year-old fluffy white and black cat who is missing all of his teeth, and Toby is a 6-year-old short-haired cat with extremely loose skin.
The couple had not heard of EDS before, but they knew that Toby needed a loving home.
When they arrived at the RSPCA, they found the two special needs cats huddled in the back of a special unit to separate them from the other animals.
While Quinton allowed Georgina to pet him, Toby was far too scared.
The pair are inseparable.
While timid at first, both of them are now very comfortable in their new home.
A downside of Toby's EDS is that he is very prone to injury, even while cleaning himself. Quinton has learned this and cleans Toby's face for him, as well as keeping his claws retracted while the two play together.
Aside from his syndrome, Toby is a normal cat.
Toby loves to watch birds, play with bouncy balls, and cuddle with his parents.
"He loves belly rubs and will plop himself next to you and look at you, waiting for you to rub his belly."
Toby's parents try to minimize the amount of jumping he does.
This is because EDS can cause joint problems, and his extra weight from his saggy skin might cause issues later in his life.
Georgina hopes that sharing Toby's story will raise awareness for his condition.
She also hopes that it encourages more people to adopt special needs cats.
"It doesn’t take any more to love them, and despite whatever it is that may make them ‘special needs,’ they are still beautiful animals with their own amazing personalities, likes, dislikes, and the ability to love you back."
Mlep!
Follow Toby and Quinton's adventures as they navigate their new life together. According to Dr. Gary Chapman, a renowned marriage counselor, "The love we give to our pets can mirror the love we share with our families," which emphasizes the importance of companionship in our lives. For more insights on building strong relationships, visit his website at 5lovelanguages.com!
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