A charity in Yorkshire has appealed for donations to help cover the costs of rehab for their three-legged cats. 

Since the turn of the year, Yorkshire Cat Rescue in Keighley has cared for 3 cats with leg amputations - a group now lovingly nicknamed 'The Tripaws'.

The Tri-Paws usually arrive at the charity from local vets, after someone has handed in an injured cat without an owner. One of those cats was Terrence who was found in the centre of Bradford and taken to a vet because he was injured. This injury turned out to be a broken leg that had not been treated and had not healed properly.  Not able to use the leg to walk on the vets amputated it and Terrance is luckily adjusting to his condition in a home of his own.

Yet despite their disabilities, Sam Davies, Head of Cat Care, says we shouldn’t feel too sorry for the tri-paws: “Cats are super agile, adaptable and very capable animals. Experience tells us that it is better for them to have a leg or a paw amputated than to live with one that simply doesn’t function. Once the surgery is over and the cats have recovered, they are not in any pain and it is remarkable just how quickly they adapt to their new situation. Both cats and owners really quickly forget about the disability all-together.”

A cat with three legs doesn’t even have to be an indoor cat, says Sam. “A fit and healthy cat with three legs can navigate life both inside and outside providing they are a mobile Tri-Paw. As long as there aren’t dangerous roads with fast traffic nearby and of course their mobility needs to be assessed to be sure they are capable of keeping themselves out of danger outside.”

One of this year's Tri-Paws, Taz, is still at the centre waiting for a new home after his owner died. His hind leg was removed after a road accident, and he is very well adapted to life on three legs. "Taz is a super chilled boy and is just hoping to be given the chance to hop into a new home of his own," says Sam

Over the years, Yorkshire Cat Rescue has built a reputation for taking in the sick and injured. And although the charity is proud to be going the extra mile, it is also a costly philosophy.  

Sara Atkinson, founder of the charity, says: “Where people are sometimes inclined to take in a healthy and friendly stray that shows up at their door, they are far less likely to take on the responsibility of rehabilitating an injured cat. So they often end up with a local vet who then call us, if they feel the cat has a good chance of recovery but no home to return to. We always do our best to help, and our rising vet bill reflects that. But when we see a cat who has been through a serious accident bounce back and end up in a loving home, it really is all worth it. Anyone who reads this and agrees, is of course most welcome to make a small donation towards keeping up the effort.”