Very Special Wobbly William - My best foster-fail ever!
Special Wobbly William: My best foster-fail ever!
by Catherine van der Linden
William as a kitten
Image supplied by the publicist
On 10 May 2023, a very special boy found his way into my life and changed not only my life forever, but many other lives too, as you will discover in the story I am about to tell.
A team of workmen digging trenches to lay fibre cables on a pavement in Retreat, Cape Town, discovered an emaciated, half-alive ginger kitten lying on the verge where they were digging. Through their kind actions and the support of TEARS Animal Rescue, this beautiful little boy was rescued and started his life of recovery in the office of Mandy Store, (TEARS’ Operations Manager), where he was fed, medicated and loved back to health by a whole team of TEARS staff members.
As he regained his health, it was discovered that he had Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH), also known as “wobbly cat syndrome”. The part of his brain that controls balance and co-ordination had not developed properly in his mother’s womb. I liken CH to Cerebral Palsy in humans.
Once he was out of the woods and well on his way to recovery, Mandy asked me if I would be prepared to foster a special needs kitten. Of course, I said YES!
At the shelter, everyone affectionately called him “Wobbles”, but as I got to know his incredibly intelligent, determined and delightful personality, I officially named him William, AKA ‘Willy Wonky’.
William started entertaining me from the word go with his adorable wobbly antics, but having such poor co-ordination skills came with a set of challenges I had never encountered before. I realised I would have to adjust my entire environment and my routine just to keep him safe.
As he reached the age of being ready for adoption, I allowed a couple of prospective families to view him, but soon realised that a special needs kitten is not the best pet for small children, so I decided to adopt him myself.
As there is no cure for CH, William has had to learn to navigate around his disability. His main difficulty initially was using the litter box. He could not stay in an upright position to do his business, so if I wasn’t there to hold him up, he would fall over and into his business, after which he would need to be bathed and dried each time before normal life could be continued. I learned to time how long after a meal he would need to use the litter box, so the bathing became less necessary each time as I timed things right and was there to hold him up. As William grew up, he learnt how to handle his uncooperative body better and better, and today he can manage the litter box on his own without falling over.
Another major challenge is that William insists on climbing up onto high things (couches, chairs and tables) and then falls off, invariably on his head. So, from day one, all couches and tables in my home have been surrounded with cushions and blankets to soften his fall. He even has his own special padded beanie with a pompom to protect his head. Until recently, he could only go outside if he was on a lead, but I now have a catio where he can safely enjoy some sunshine and fresh air.
But William’s best qualities by far are his empathy and gentleness towards all the foster kittens that come in and out of my house.
He truly has become my right-hand-cat when it comes to helping me play with and socialise foster kittens. He now has the name ‘Uncle William’, because he is the best foster daddy in the world. He regularly features on my foster-kitten Instagram page.
His second greatest quality is how he makes my students laugh when they come to my house for their lessons. He literally runs (wobbles) to the door to greet them and allows himself to be picked up and smothered in hugs before the lessons start. My high school male students particularly love William. If he isn’t at the door to greet them, the first thing they ask is “Where’s William?”
This beautiful boy is so intelligent. He is the only cat in my house who always comes immediately when I call his name. He is very tuned in and quick to respond with his special brand of ‘Williamness’. You can’t have a sad day around William because he is a combination of very compassionate and very funny. I don’t think a day goes by when I am not laughing out loud when William is around.
Thank you TEARS for bringing this beautiful, special boy into my life.
Foster Dad William with a kitten
Image supplied by the publicist
TEARS website: www.tears.org.za
TEARS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TEARSAnimalRescue/
TEARS Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/tearsanimalrescue/?hl=en.
ABOUT TEARS ANIMAL RESCUE:
TEARS is a pro-life, non-profit organisation established in 1999 (registered in terms of Section 18A of the Income Tax Act) whose core aim is to rescue, treat, rehabilitate, reunite, and rehome lost, abandoned, abused, and neglected companion animals and to educate pet owners and the youth living in the four under-resourced communities within which we operate.
We strive to meet the needs of the under-resourced communities in the Southern Peninsula by providing:
- free sterilisations and subsidised medical support that includes vaccinations, deworming, and parasite control
- access to two TEARS mobile clinics that offer primary healthcare and pet care support.
- Access to the TEARS Veterinary Clinic, offering veterinary care for vulnerable pets for almost any condition, illness, or injury at a welfare rate.
TEARS remains the only facility in the Cape Peninsula’s far South available seven days per week, including an after-hours mobile clinic service from 4.30pm to 7pm with limited veterinary care. TEARS treat the hundreds of animals who need treatment each month for various conditions, illnesses, and injuries.
Our experience enables us to manage the population control of companion animals in these areas, based on available funding, and to reduce the spread of zoonoses as a means of supporting community health and complying to the WHO’s One Health approach to the animal-human interface.
We are partnered with community-based NGOs and community leaders to support vulnerable pets and pet owners living in the four core communities we are mandated to serve. Our Programmes aim to bring about systemic change through strategic interventions based on community involvement and support. Implementing effective animal welfare solutions in high-density and low-income communities has been proven to positively impact human welfare by delivering health, environmental, economic, educational, and social benefits.
