The journey from certain death to award winner is a long one, and not something most get the chance to take. But at an internationally sanctioned show in Sacramento, a cat named Skippy proved that nothing can stop a true survivor.
Skippy was a half-starved stray kitten when a car careened around a corner and struck the little cat. A witness took her to a shelter which diagnosed severe radial nerve damage to her right front leg
As at many underfunded and overcrowded shelters, there were no real options for the black and white kitten except euthanasia.
But a volunteer with Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode (AO) rescued Skippy from the shelter and the nonprofit group’s veterinarian amputated the painful, damaged leg.
Skippy recovered from the surgery in the loving home of her foster mom, AO volunteer Jeanne Jackson. The little cat thrived and showed absolutely no limitations because of being a “tripod".
Now fully functional and healthy, 2-year-old Skippy was one of 14 adoptable shelter cats competing against professionals at the Jazzy Cats Mardi Gras Madness cat show.
As part of The International Cat Association (TICA), Jazzy Cats shows have categories for pedigreed felines as well as household pets (HHP). Most entrants in HHP classes are professional competitors earning points towards national and international standings; they are just not registered as purebred.
The adoptable shelter cats from AO and the City of Folsom’s animal shelter competed in classes with the professional HHP entrants.
During competition finals the shelter cats and kittens won a total of 53 awards.
Skippy herself won awards in 7 finals and even earned first place in one class against 24 competitors. Unfortunately Skippy did not get what she wanted most – a home.
“Other shelter kitties were adopted at the show, which is wonderful” says Jeanne Jackson, “that is why we go there.” But although everyone at the show, from TICA judges to members of the public, loved, praised and cuddled Skippy, she was not adopted.
This surprised Jackson and other show volunteers, as Skippy is such a lovely, happy, playful and outgoing cat. Most people didn't even notice at first that she was missing a leg.
“Skippy’s only disability is that people won’t give her a chance – being a tripod doesn't limit her at all” says volunteer Bill Bonini.
Anyone interested in meeting and adopting Skippy can call (530) 306-0320. The adopter will not only get a wonderful pet that went from certain death to stardom; they can take home the show ribbons she won as well.
More show winners and other loving cats and kittens are available as well; click for further details on adoptables from Animal Outreach and Folsom’s animal shelter.
Animal Outreach is a nonprofit animal rescue group and low-cost spay/neuter clinic. The majority of cats and dogs the organization takes in are from municipal shelters like the one in which Skippy landed.
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