How does one describe the most amazing kitten to ever exist without selling her short in any way?  It just might be impossible, but here goes!

This little girl is quite the specimen, inside and out.  She has the cutest face, the most adorable meow and the softest, squishiest fur.  But we all know that it is what's inside that counts the most. The personality of this baby is just so unique.  I've fostered over 500 cats and have never met a kitty quite like her.  

Tipsy came to ARF when she was just a tiny baby. She was found all by herself, outside in the cold near downtown Chicago.  I knew I had to save her.  From a young age, it was obvious that Tipsy is affected by Cerebellar Hypoplasia (aka CH or wobbly cat syndrome), a developmental issue that causes her to be wobbly when she walks.  But just because she has CH, doesn't mean that CH has her!  There is very little that Tipsy can't do.  She is a force to be reckoned with, for sure. 

CH is simply a balance issue....nothing else.  CH kitties live just as long as any other cat.  It isn't a progressive disorder, so she won't get any worse. Actually, quite the opposite.  Not that she'll get any better, but over time, she has learned quite well to adapt to her situation.  She has learned to balance better and doesn't fall as often.  She has a cute little walk, where she spreads her little legs out wide to lower her center of gravity.  Not only does she walk pretty well, but man can she run!  She's like lightning when she's chasing toys.  Not only that, but she can jump SO high.  It's actually quite impressive. She gets the zoomies sometimes and all of her kitten energy shows.  Speaking of toys, wand toys and catnip toys are her absolute favorites.  She could play for hours.  Sure, she falls a lot and does many somersaults, but you can't convince her that anything is wrong with her.  She has the mind of a perfectly functioning cat, and she won't accept anything less. When she stumbles, she gets right back up like nothing happened.  She's the poster cat for perseverance. 

When it comes to "normal" cat things, Tipsy can do just about all of them.  She eats dry food only and chows down like a total piggy.  She uses the litter box like a pro, although she does lay down when she goes to help keep her from falling in it.  She even covers after she goes.  She is a VERY clean kitten and is always grooming herself.  She never needs baths, except on a very rare occasion.  She loves to be brushed, too. One thing she can't do *yet?" is stairs, or jumping up on furniture.  I don't doubt that she can learn to use a ramp to get up on the couch with you, but stairs might be a much bigger task for her.  It's not the getting up that would be difficult, more the getting down.  At least you won't have to worry about her jumping up on your kitchen counters!

Cats and kittens with CH, in my experience, have such endearing qualities and are so very loving and lovable.  Tipsy is an amazing snuggler.  As you can see from some of her pictures, she loves to be wrapped in a fuzzy blanket and cuddled like a baby.  She is such a great companion.  She would let you carry her around or sit on your lap for hours.  She also really enjoys car rides.  All she craves is love, and maybe a treat or two. She just asks that you're willing to look past her disorder and see her for the amazing cat that she is. Tipsy has been around other cats and does just fine.  She would do great with gentle kids too, and probably even a friendly doggie, given a proper introduction. I dare you to come and meet her and not fall in love with her.  You'll see, she's really just a normal, fun loving kitten trapped inside a wobbly body.  

We encourage you to consider adopting kittens in pairs! There are several reasons why Tipsy  would do good with a friend, including:

   - Two kittens keep each other entertained - they will play and get all their energy out on each other in time for snuggles with you!

   - Having two kittens to play with each other prevents potential "I'm lonely and bored" behavioral issues.

   - Watching two kittens wrestle is quite possibly the cutest thing you will ever see.

   - The kittens will teach each other "how to cat" and learn to be more social with humans and people.

   - You'll save two lives instead of one!

Tipsy is microchipped, up to date on all vaccinations, spayed, and litter box trained. Tipsy's adoption fee is $135. If you are interested in meeting Tipsy, please fill out our online kitten adoption application at https://www.arf-il.org/adopt/application/ today!

Once your application has been approved, an A.R.F. volunteer will be able to contact you to arrange a meeting.

Please note ARF does not approve applications for any kitten under 6 months of age to families that live outside of Illinois and/or beyond 100 miles of Wheaton or Glen Ellyn, IL.