Meet Willow, a very special kitty who has gone from wandering the streets to being an Instagram star.
Lori Farris, a 50-year-old special needs teacher, was leaving a student’s house one day when she spotted a tiny, dirty kitten on the doorstep.
That kitten followed Lori to her car, so she scooped her up, gave her a clean, and took her to the vet.
When she was taken in, little Willow was covered in fleas and had a bloody nose and eye infection. She looked a little unusual, too.
The vet told Lori that Willow’s unusual looks meant she would likely have been put down had she gone into a shelter, simply for not being ‘pretty’ enough for anyone to adopt.
‘The vet thought she seemed healthy other than her face and mouth – she said it was like feline Down Syndrome,’ said Lori.
‘The vet said that the shelter would surely euthanize her since she wasn’t ‘pretty’ so I decided to keep her.’
It’s worth noting that cats cannot have Down’s Syndrome. Willow seems otherwise healthy, so she may have simply been born with a facial deformity.
She was lucky to be taken in by Lori as it can be tough for cats with unusual looks to find loving homes.
Thankfully she quickly bonded with both Lori and her dog, Ella the boxer.
Now, Willow has racked up more than 136,000 followers on Instagram, who all flock to see her wearing different flowery hats. She’s living the life of a social media star.
Lori said: ‘Willow loves wearing her different flower hats and her Instagram has had a great response.
‘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 or gross.
‘She’s a wonderful little cat in every way and I’m so glad she’s in my life.’
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