Disabled kitten rehomed after owner struggled with vet bills

Socks is deaf and was diagnosed with cerebellar hypoplasia, meaning she struggles to balance and his head shakes.

It means she needs medication and trips to the vet, which her first owner couldn’t keep up with due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Now Socks has been in her new home for almost one month and has adapted extremely well to being in a new environment.

READ MORE: Cost of Living: people in Glasgow expected to be poorer next year

Socks is fitting in at home well (Image: Sourced)

Her new owners, Erin McKenzie, 28, and James Halley, 28, said: “Socks is the perfect combination of sweetness and madness.

“After having zoomies, she will grab a toy and execute a perfect forward roll while holding it – I’ve never seen a cat do this before!

“When she gets sleepy or wants attention, she will purr and happily fall asleep in your lap.

“We've only noticed her head wobble when she's standing still. When she's on the move, her eyes sway and we think she is compensating for her hearing loss with heightened visual awareness.

“She likes to be close to us to feel secure. When she wakes up from a nap, she will meow loudly so we can find her.”

Christine McDowall, Adoption Team Lead, said: “Socks came to us when she was nine months old, after her owner sadly couldn’t afford to care for her.

“As well as being deaf Socks suffers from a neurological condition called cerebellar hypoplasia, which means that she has poor coordination and her head shakes.

“It was clear from the moment she arrived that she didn’t let any of this hold her back. She was a happy cat who enjoyed exploring, playtime, and interacting with us.

“She was taken in by one of our fantastic fosterers until we could find her the special home she needed, and she has definitely found that with Erin and James.”

Socks is settling in well (Image: Sourced)

Cats Protection Glasgow Branch care for a wide range of cats, all with unique needs. Many cats simply would not have survived without their help.

This can cost the charity hundreds if not thousands of pounds, so donations of both funds and time are vital.

Christine continued: “We've had just about every type of cat come into our care from kittens with health issues like Socks to cats with three legs.

“We’ve provided urgent treatment and nursed cats back to health.

"We’ve cared for a mother and her kittens after being found in a nursery playground. We’re here for cats that are terrified, elderly, neglected, overweight, and much-loved cats whose owners have sadly passed away.

“Cats come to us for a multitude of reasons including abandonments, behavioural issues, being long term strays, owners’ ill health, and not being able to afford veterinary bills.

"Sometimes owners give up their pets because of unforeseen circumstances which can be as heartbreaking for us as it is for the owners.

“If you’re struggling to care for your cat please get in touch, we’re here to help. We take every opportunity to educate the public on cat welfare and offer support to owners so we can prevent them having to give up their cats.

“Where this isn’t possible, there is no better feeling than finding a cat a safe, happy home, especially if that cat has had a difficult start in life.”

Help Cats Protection Glasgow Branch care for more cats like Socks by donating to their spring appeal here.