** In order to adopt a kitten from HSMC, you must live within an hour of the shelter. You will initially "foster to adopt" the kitten and then the adoption will be finalized when they are brought back for their spay/neuter surgery. You may need to bring the kitten back for vaccines and exams prior to their spay/neuter surgery**
Some kittens have a story that tugs at your heart, and little Zipper is one of them.
Born around 8/26/26, Zipper was found as a tiny, very sick stray kitten fighting to survive on her own. When she came into our care, she was suffering from a severe, previously untreated upper respiratory infection. She began treatment immediately, but unfortunately the damage to her eyes had already been done.
You may notice that Zipper's eyes look cloudy in her photos. A veterinary examination confirmed that while her eyes are healthy enough to remain comfortable and pain-free, her vision is very limited. We believe she can likely only see shapes and shadows.
The amazing thing? Zipper doesn't let that slow her down one bit. In every way that matters, she's a happy, playful, typical kitten. She's a champion litter box user, loves being held and cuddled, and is always happy to soak up attention from her people. And she absolutely adores canned food and would love for that to remain a staple in her forever home.
Because of her visual impairment, Zipper will need a home that is safe, easy to navigate, and reasonably predictable. Once she learns her surroundings, she gets around remarkably well, but consistency will help her thrive.
As an only kitten, Zipper would also benefit greatly from having a feline friend in her forever home. Kittens learn important social skills from one another, and since she wasn't raised with her mom or littermates, she's developed a bit of a "bitey" streak. Her limited vision may contribute to this as well. A playful kitten companion can help teach her appropriate boundaries and set her up for success, because nobody wants Single Kitten Syndrome turning this adorable little girl into a furry little jerk!
In fact, we have a very special friend in mind: Callie, a completely blind kitten currently living in a foster home. We think these two incredible girls could make an amazing duo and potentially become lifelong best friends. They can be introduced during the same meet-and-greet if you'd like to meet both of them.
And here's a fun bonus tip: blind and visually impaired cats often become huge fans of cat exercise wheels. These wheels provide a safe, obstacle-free way for low-vision kitties to run, play, and burn off energy. We can't promise Zipper and Callie will immediately become exercise-wheel enthusiasts, but we do have an in-house "cat whisperer" who is willing to let their adopters borrow one to see if they enjoy it. How cool is that?
Zipper is looking for someone with a special heart for the underdog... or in this case, the undercat. She may not see the world the way other kittens do, but she has plenty of love to give and a bright future ahead of her.
Would you like to meet this special little gal, and hopefully her potential BFF, Callie too? Head over to our website and submit an application for these cuties if so! Be sure to include both Zipper and Callie's names if you'd like to meet them together!
West Jefferson, Ohio
#hsmcohio
A Petfinder inquiry is not a substitute for an application. For detailed information about our adoption process, including fees, please visit our website www.hsmcohio.org
Our adoption fee is $100.00 for kittens up to 6 months of age and $80 for cats 7 months and older. It includes: a microchip, spay or neuter, set of shots, de-worming, and a 1-year rabies vaccine (if old enough). Fees can be made by cash or credit card. Please go to our website, www.hsmcohio.org to fill out an application.
CHANDLER
Domestic Short Hair
🇺🇸
West Jefferson, Ohio
male, medium, baby
Domestic Short Hair
West Jefferson, Ohio
