Meet Whirlwind Natalie, an inspirational, beautiful blind cat born with moderate to severe Cerebellar hypoplasia(CH). There’s no treatment or cure, but Natalie lives a happy life thanks to expert care from rescuers like Kris Kaiser, specializing in special needs kittens in Minneapolis.
Natalie as a kitten, Images via Instagram/whirlwindnatalie
Cerebellar Hypoplasia
CH affects the brain’s cerebellum before birth, leaving cats with impaired motor control and coordination. As a result, cats can be very wobbly, unable to jump, and tend to fall a lot. However, it’s not painful or contagious, nor does it affect lifespan given appropriate care. Often, cats born with CH learn to compensate for the condition over the first year of life.
“Natalie is extremely brave, fun, sweet and doesn’t let her disability stop her. She navigates her world just fine with a few adaptations,” Kris says.
Kris cares for three cats with CH called “The Tippy Tuxies” and fosters special needs kittens like Natalie whenever possible. Now, she’s ready to find a forever home where she can be fully appreciated and cared for.
“I’ve got the CH stance perfected!”
Natalie’s Foster Brother Snapple Finds a Home
Recently, we shared the story of Snapple, the disabled ‘Tux on Wheels’ who Kris also fostered.
“It’s nice to dine with friends”
Snapple and Natalie with custom feeding stations
Thanks to kind people sharing Snapple’s story on social media, he found a wonderful family in Hawaii who will be bringing him home forever! First, he’ll pass the island’s quarantine requirements; then, life in paradise can begin in the spring.
“They saw his story being shared on social media and immediately fell in love,” said Kris.
Snapple has severely impaired mobility but loves life, getting around in a custom cart. In foster care, he enjoys time with his wobbly foster sister Natalie, wrestling and cuddling with each other.
See more of Snapple’s story here.
🌪️ How Whirlwind Natalie Got Her Name 🌪️
“A girl like me can never have too many toys. But since I have almost too many, I like to play with a few at once. 😹”
Natalie came from a farm in Okoboji, Iowa. Fortunately, a kind woman named Katt rescued her as a tiny kitten and shared her story on Facebook, where Kris spotted her. Immediately, she knew Natalie would be a perfect friend for Snapple.
Whirlwind Natalie earned her name for how she moves along, not letting anything stop her. See the funny video below to get an idea of her whirlwind powers.
“If you were wondering about where the Whirlwind part of my name came from. 😹”
Given an environment with lots of carpeting, Natalie helps her push herself along and cushions any fall.
“You might be wondering why there’s Whirlwind in my name. Well, I whirl, twirl, tumble and roll to get where I’m going. My foster mom usually just calls me Natalie,” reads her bio.
Whirlwind Natalie is Also Blind
Although Whirlwind Natalie is blind, you can hardly tell once she is familiar with her space. Like other kitties, she loves playing with toys that make noise.
When approaching, Kris rubs her fingers together so Natalie knows she’s coming to avoid startling her.
Despite being blind and wobbly, Natalie is like any other kitten, playing and snuggling. Also, she can manage a litter box too.
“I love to play, and I have lots and lots of energy! My foster mom says that will help me grow stronger. I would love to go to a home with another young cat who would like to play with me,” her bio says. Futhermore, Natalie loves to wrestle. “I have some excellent wrestling moves. I love attention, and I have a good loud purr motor! When I get tired from all the playtime, I love to curl up on a cozy bed or blanket and snuggle with people or my feline friends.”
Making Whirlwind Natalie Comfortable
To keep Natalie happy, she needs some accommodations to ensure she’s happy. We’re sure there is someone out there who would love to help Natalie with some simple things like:
- A special custom-built feeding station that supports her and prevents her from tipping over while she eats.
- Carpets, rugs, and ramps to help her get around
- Limited stair access to keep her from falling
- A little daily help with grooming
- A modified litter box for easy access
“I get a little help with my grooming which I very much enjoy! Except for having my nose cleaned, I do not enjoy that. 😾”
As a kitten, Natalie’s teeth came in misaligned, and she couldn’t close her mouth properly. After receiving dental care thanks to donations, she’s doing fine now but will need annual dental checkups.
😻 The Perfect Wobbly Package 😻
Since Natalie is so playful, she would love to enjoy time with a “wrestle buddy,” writes Kris.
“She loves pets and cuddles and is the perfect package for anyone who is willing to accommodate her needs. Natalie would like to be adopted into a home with other young cats to play with or adopted with another kitten to be her friend. She would love to have a wrestle buddy!”
Currently, Whirlwind Natalie is being fostered through Kitty Revolution in the Twin Cities, MN. To see more, follow her on Instagram.
