Special needs. The online dictionary only comes up with a definition regarding the education of children. That being said, our definition of special needs has to be what is pertinent to the Commune. Here, special needs cats are any cats who are adoption challenged, usually through health or behavior concerns.

Here are some brief examples of the types of special needs cats we care for here at Copper’s Cat Commune. There will be more extensive posts about each type coming soon.

Paraplegic cats are cats who cannot walk with their hind legs. This is usually due to some sort of traumatic injury, though they can also be born with a spinal deformity causing the same problems. They often do not have control of their bowels or bladder. Many have to have their bladders or even bowels expressed manually on a daily basis.

Tonks is both paraplegic and incontinent

Incontinent cats are cats who have no control over their bowels or bladder. In their case, they leak urine or stool as opposed to needing expression. They require frequent clean-ups and diligent observation.

Stomatitis cats are cats that have a serious inflammation of the gums and surrounding tissue, often with very painful lesions. These cats frequently need to have all of their teeth pulled to give them some relief. Stomatitis causes many problems with eating and grooming.

Feline Hyperesthesia cats are cats who suffer from seizure-like episodes of pain on their back or rear legs. This is often set off by touch, though that is not the underlying cause. For the cats here, the underlying cause is physical and can not be “cured.”

Cerebellar Hypoplasia cats are cats whose cerebellum is not completely developed. These cats are also known as “wobblers” for the funny way that they walk, if they walk.

Severe Heart Condition cats seems to be self-explanatory. This is not something we recommend coming here, due to the stress of being among so many cats, but it is definitely something we have dealt with.

Gunshot cats are something we see all too often in this part of the world, and it often only maims the cat. This means that cat usually needs to come and live in a place like ours.

MadEye Moody was gunshot multiple times and lost a leg

Mucopolysacchridosis cats, or cat in this case, as I doubt we will ever see another. This is a degenerative joint disease that shows up in kittens, and is usually fatal.

Special Cases are cases that stump our vets or simply have no disease name.

We are uniquely qualified to handle these special needs cats with our founder being a retired veterinary technician and certified pet nutritionist. She has also made an intensive study of feline behavior. We work extremely closely with our veterinarians, who are available by text for us 7 days a week.

As you can see, we handle a large variety of medical special needs cats, and that’s not touching on our behavioral special needs cats - the biters and the markers or sprayers. We have our work cut out for us, but it is a labor of love. These babies deserve a life full of joy and happiness, and that is our ultimate aim.

So, What Do We Mean By "Special Needs?"

Copper's Cat Commune is a nonprofit cat sanctuary dedicated to the lifetime care of a limited population of ill, disabled, immune compromised, senior, or otherwise adoption challenged cats. All Commune photography by matt & Mimi Baker of the Commune unless otherwise stated.