A three-month-old kitten with paralyzed hind legs has regained the ability to walk with the help of a custom-built wheelchair, designed by staff at an animal rescue centre in Cincinnati, Ohio. The kitten, named Gelato, was found injured and unable to move his rear legs when a litter was rescued from the roadside and brought to the shelter.

Upon examination, an X-ray revealed a spinal injury in Gelato’s lower back. Despite his condition, he remained active and eager to play with his littermates and toys. However, Gelato’s small size prevented him from fitting into the shelter’s standard wheelchairs typically used for animals with mobility issues.

Mallory Smith, a veterinary assistant lead at Cincinnati Animal Care, devised an innovative solution using readily available materials. She initially constructed a makeshift wheelchair frame from cardboard strips taped together, with two Hot Wheels toy ambulances attached underneath serving as wheels. A support bar was placed near Gelato’s pelvis, and a harness secured the kitten to the apparatus.

The first iteration of the wheelchair was unable to support Gelato’s weight. Smith then reinforced the design by replacing the cardboard components with wooden rulers, secured with tape and zip ties. This enhanced version allowed the kitten to move more freely, providing him with newfound autonomy and boosting his confidence.

According to Smith, Gelato quickly adapted to the harness and is now able to run around her apartment alongside her other three cats and engage with toys. In addition to using the wheelchair, Gelato follows a daily physical therapy routine and has progressed to the point of standing without assistance.

Following the widespread attention that images of Gelato using the wheelchair received online, a friend of Smith’s offered to produce a 3D-printed, adjustable wheelchair designed to accommodate Gelato’s growth. Smith is now working to build Gelato’s strength further before he becomes available for adoption. Given his viral popularity, it is expected that the kitten will find a permanent home soon.