Orion (53628/3629) - Domestic Short Hair Cat for Adoption in Manassas, Virginia

male/neutered - 2 months - 2lbs

Orion was brought in as a stray with a badly broken front leg. The amazing Prince William County Animal Services Center vet team was able to amputate it and give him the second chance at a long happy life this little fighter deserves.

The first day I brought him home he was very pitiful. But by that evening when I checked on him, he was sitting up very straight with his dark tail curled around him and his three bright white paws sticking out. Those three sweet paws reminded me of Orion’s Belt.

After only a few days he was tentatively exploring the spare bedroom, learning to balance, walk, and eventually scamper and at the same time to trust his new humans. He rose to all those challenges beautifully and despite still having some hesitation at new people and experiences he is going to settle in very nicely with his next family, who I’m certain will adore him every bit as much as we do.

It has been such a privilege and a joy to help Orion heal and watch him gain his confidence and comfort as a tripawd to the point where his inquisitive silly kitten nature can no longer be contained. He loves to play and run/hop and he also loves to snuggle.

Orion will need guidance as he continues to adjust to his tripawd status. Since this is still new to him he is a little more vulnerable than your average kitten and exposing him to new places and other furry family members should be handled with care and extra thoughtfulness. He should NOT be placed in a home with a dog who isn’t already very familiar and comfortable with cats. But once he has settled in he is going to be so much fun and his story of survival and feisty attitude to match are endlessly endearing and inspiring.

There is not much difference in owning a tri-pawd compared to a four-legged cat. The very best thing you can do to ensure his health and happiness is to keep him at a healthy weight, preferably by feeding him mostly wet food - which luckily he absolutely loves! This will keep his joints from becoming too stressed from having to compensate for his lack of limb.

He is still not much for jumping up on furniture and I definitely haven’t been encouraging it. Keep in mind that while his back legs will be strong, his one front leg should avoid high impact on landing, so encouraging his low to ground tendencies might be best for now. Orion has already been neutered so he is ready to go home the same day as he is adopted.

The domestic short hair cat is a popular and diverse breed known for its unique personalities and low maintenance care. These cats come in various colors and patterns, with short, easy to manage coats that require minimal grooming. Domestic short hairs are friendly, adaptable, and make wonderful companions for individuals and families alike. They possess playful and affectionate qualities that endear them to many, making them one of the most beloved and widely adopted cat breeds worldwide.