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Woman Saves Cat With Down's Syndrome From Being Put Down

Woman Saves Cat With Down's Syndrome From Being Put Down

Little Willow was found wondering the streets with fleas and a bloody nose.

Ciara Sheppard

Ciara Sheppard

A woman has rescued a cat with Down's Syndrome that she found wondering the street - and saved the poor thing from being put down.

Lori Farris, 50, who works as a special needs teacher, was leaving her work when she came across a small, worse for wear-looking kitten in the street.

When the little kitten followed Lori to her car, the Florida-based animal lover then took the feline - who she named Willow after the street she was found on - home with her to clean her up.

@Willowthebeautifulcat

"One day when I left a student's house there was a tiny, dirty kitten on the doorstep and she followed me to my car," recalled Lori.

"I took her home and cleaned her because she had fleas and a bloody nose.

"When I took it to my vet a few days later and learned that it was a five week old little girl.

"The poor thing had eye infections, fleas and intestinal parasites but the vet thought she seemed healthy other than her face and mouth - she said it was like feline Down Syndrome.

"The vet said that the shelter would surely euthanize her since she wasn't 'pretty' so I decided to keep her."

@Willowthebeautifulcat

Willow, now two, is living with Lori at her home alongside her doggy best friend, Ella the Boxer.

"Ella and Willow got on from the day they met," Lori added.

"When I first brought Willow to the house, Ella was so interested by her and eventually built up the courage to come see her.

"Willow gave her a bit of a swipe and a playful bite, and they have been inseparable ever since.

"They eat together, play together and even sleep together."

@Willowthebeautifulcat

@Willowthebeautifulcat

From her humble beginnings, Willow has since gone on to enjoy mild fame as a social media star, boasting 136,000 followers on her Instagram.

"Willow loves wearing her different flower hats and her Instagram has had a great response," says owner Lori.

"I think people like her because she's a symbol of love, kindness and being beautiful even though looking different.

"I'm OK with people saying that she's weird looking because she is but I don't like when people call her ugly, retarded or gross.
"She's a wonderful little cat in every way and I'm so glad she's in my life."

We love an underdog-cat story. Keep shining, Willow!

Featured Image Credit: @Willowthebeautifulcat

Topics: Life News, Cat, Life