Cat With Rare Skin Condition Is Thrilled When Someone Adopts Him And His Buddy

Jun 15, 2019 by apost team

Different isn't always a bad thing. Instead of seeing differences as flaws, people are learning to embrace what makes them unique. However, people aren't always so quick to embrace differences in animals.

Animals that are different are often overlooked. That could have been the case for Toby, a very special cat. Because he has a rare condition known as Ehler-Danlos Syndrome, he looks different from other kitties.

According to veterinary-practice.com, Ehler-Danlos Syndrome is a disorder that affects the collagen levels in a cat's body. In Toby's case, he doesn't have enough collagen, causing his skin to stretch and sag. It also means he bruises easily and has weaker joints.

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Because of his odd appearance, Toby was passed over time and again at a shelter. Luckily, he made a friend -- according to The Dodo, he and another cat, Quinton, bonded. Through everything, they stuck together and gave each other comfort.

Not everyone wanted to avoid Toby. Georgina Price didn't mind that Toby was different from other cats. When she spotted him cowering behind Quinton at the shelter, her heart went out to him. She and her fiance had seen pictures of Toby on the RSPCA's website. Georgina knew instantly that she wanted to meet him. When she went to the shelter, Toby was so frightened that he couldn't stop shaking.

Luckily, Georgina and her fiance have big hearts. They decided to adopt Toby...and Quinton too! They put in their adoption application for both kitties and officially became their new pet parents.

“Straight away we could see their bond,” Georgina told The Dodo. “Quinton wide-eyed and snappy (they gave us some tuna to feed them) but the whole time Toby was huddled in the corner or behind his brother constantly. Having rescued before, we knew this wasn't anything to worry about.”

Now that they're out of the shelter, the two cats are blossoming. They still stick together like glue most of the time, but they're learning to trust their new human companions too. Every day in his new home, Toby becomes more trusting and playful. He's learned to enjoy a good belly rub. He's even started playing with toys.

His disorder does mean that he needs some special care, but Georgina is more than happy to do it. She's tried to minimize risks to him by removing objects that he could hurt himself on. She also keeps his toenails clipped so that he doesn't accidentally snag and cut his skin.

Toby and Quinton show that all animals deserve to be part of a family -- and that even though they're "different," they make great pets. The adorable pair now has an Instagram profile with over 30k followers.

Would you adopt a cat like Toby? Do have a pet with special needs? Let us know in the comments - and make sure you pass this touching story along to your friends and family!