At just one-month-old, Frederico was brought into the ASPCA^® Animal Hospital (AAH) after being found as a stray with two other kittens. Frederico and his siblings were diagnosed with a neurological disorder called Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH), which affects motor skills, causes difficulties with coordination, and makes tasks like walking or eating, more difficult.

Luckily, CH is not progressive, meaning that the veterinary team knew that these kittens would live, long and healthy lives. However, Frederico’s CH was far more pronounced than his siblings’, so the team decided to first send Frederico to a foster home where he could gain some strength before beginning his path towards adoption.

Upon his return, Frederico’s sweet, playful personality and quirky CH mannerisms made him a favorite around the ASPCA Adoption Center.

A Life Changed Forever

Gillian C. and her boyfriend, Rory, had come in with hopes of finding the perfect addition for their family As they looked around the Adoption Center, they stopped to play with only a few kittens—one of whom was Frederico. The Adoption Counselor told the couple about Frederico’s condition, which made Gillian feel an instant connection with the small cat.

“I’m studying Neuroscience, so I immediately thought he was a good fit for me since he has a neurological condition,” Gillian says. “I really thought that I could understand him better than other people might.”

The couple made Frederico’s adoption official and took him to his new home, where they carefully picked a new name for the little orange kitty. They decided on Butterfinger, due to his clumsy nature.

It took some time for Butterfinger to adjust to his new home. His CH made him skeptical about new surroundings, specifically the hardwood floors where he had difficulty balancing. Despite his apprehension, within the first two weeks, Butterfinger was moving all around and even made his way up onto the sofa, and later onto the bed.

Though Butterfinger will always have CH, Gillian and Rory tell us that the things that surprised them most about Butterfinger were his intelligence, intuition, and bravery despite his disability.

“Even though they might need a little more help, you have to consider who they are internally,” Rory says about special needs kittens. “He’s a really special kitten,” Gillian sweetly adds. “We feel really lucky.”