Energetic and curious, Snapple the cat scrambles around the floor with the aid of a little wheeled cart — sometimes charging straight into walls and other obstacles but then, undaunted, backing up and shooting off in a different direction.
The fact that Snapple, an 8-month-old tuxedo (black and white) cat, has a disability doesn't keep him from having fun.
"He's got a sparkling personality," said Kris Kaiser of Plymouth, who provides foster care for Snapple.
Snapple has a condition called cerebellar hypoplasia — also known as "wobbly cat syndrome" — a congenital condition in kittens that affects the area of the brain that controls motor movement, balance and coordination. It also makes their whiskers curly and their heads wobbly, but is not progressive or painful.
In December, Kaiser was chosen AdvoCat of the Year, an award from the Feline Generous program sponsored by Arm & Hammer. She was one of almost 4,500 nominees — "staff and volunteers at animal shelters across the country who go above and beyond to care for purrfectly impurrfect cats," the company said.
Snapple's front legs aren't strong enough to allow him to sit, so he spends much of the time lying on his side. But in the cart Kaiser bought for him, Snapple can rest his front legs on top while his back legs touch the floor, allowing him to run around.
The first time he tried it, "he was strapped in and he was off," Kaiser said, as if the cat were thinking, "Finally, I can go places!'"
Snapple's wobbling head can also make it difficult to eat, so Kaiser provided a special raised food bowl.
