We rescued The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt from a GTA shelter. Due to a physical disability, the shelter was seeking an experienced home or rescue who was familiar with her condition and able to place her into foster care where the specifics of her special needs can be determined. Kimmy was barely surviving on an unkempt lot in Toronto when she was spotted by two employees of a local animal shelter. While there was concern for her welfare (neighbours believed she’d been abandoned), There was more concern about her health as she had difficulty maintaining her balance, and would sometimes fall over.

Once caught and brought into the shelter it was determined that Kimmy likely had a condition called Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH) in which part of the brain responsible for coordination fails to fully develop. Kittens born with this condition often have a constant tremor, and some degree of ataxia or ‘wobbliness’. CH cats are often extremely adaptive, and grow up to behave like any other cat — just a bit less coordinated! Kimmy was dewormed, given vaccines, a flea treatment, was spayed and placed into foster care. She was in foster care for a short time, and was adopted. Despite Kimmy’s adopter’s best efforts, Kimmy refuses to get along with the other cats in the home, so she is now available for adoption again.

A report from Kimmy’s adopter:
“Despite her inability to jump-up, Kimmy somehow manages to get in trouble all day long. She is full of mischief. Every morning after breakfast, Kimmy meows until I come to get her. She then bulldozes her way out the door of her room and makes a bee-line for the resident cat’s food bowl. Once she has devoured its contents (2nd breakfast!), she begins making her rounds of the apartment. She ritually scatters her toys to the four corners, pulls all the books off the lower shelves, and knocks over the waste-paper bins. She can also be quite chatty. Kimmy is a sweet, amusing little monkey with a huge personality.

Kimmy is very affectionate towards people. She follows her human(s) around the house, naps under desk chairs, gives nose-kisses, and sleeps quietly in bed at night (after a short game of “kill the snake under the covers”). Kimmy loves to eat. She purrs when she sees her food bowl and absolutely loses her mind when she hears the rattle of the treat bag.

A typical adolescent, Kimmy has a lot of energy and plays with complete abandon. Because of Kimmy’s issues with coordination, she is at risk for injury. Her owner will have to take precautions with sharp corners. Kimmy uses the litterbox faithfully. However she occasionally loses her balance and tumbles out. With some logistical planning, these occurrences are rare. Kimmy objects to having her claws trimmed, so we go it one claw at a time, followed by a treat. It is a work in progress. Kimmy does not mean to swat or scratch, but due to her condition it sometimes happens. She is therefore best suited to an adult-only home. Kimmy struggles with members of her own species (either bullying other cats or being bullied by them). She would be happiest as the sole despot of a stair-less realm.

Kimmy continues to be a constant source of amusement. She is an endearing little cat and her presence will make your life better.”

Kimmy found her forever home with lovely people!