When Erin Parker, an experienced cat foster parent, welcomed Sweet Pea into her home, she knew this special feline needed extra love—and a creative solution to help her thrive.
Sweet Pea, rescued by Best Friends Animal Society from a central Arkansas parking lot, had endured a traumatic past that left her without ears. Though her rescuers couldn’t determine the exact cause of her injury, her sweet demeanor suggested she’d once been a cherished pet.
“She wasn’t shy at all—she craved attention,” Parker told The Dodo. “I wanted her to feel like any other cat.”
Determined to boost Sweet Pea’s confidence, Parker enlisted her girlfriend, Chloe, to crochet a pair of cozy, handmade ears. To their delight, Sweet Pea took to her new accessories immediately, proudly parading around the house.
The handmade touch also served a practical purpose: Parker hoped the ears would help potential adopters see past Sweet Pea’s physical differences.
“I didn’t want her overlooked because of her scars,” Parker said.
The plan worked. Soon after Best Friends shared photos of Sweet Pea sporting her crocheted ears, an adopter stepped forward.
“She adjusted instantly—loves toys, windowsills, and her ears healed perfectly,” Sweet Pea’s new owner reported. Though Parker was sad to say goodbye, she was thrilled her foster cat left with a lasting memento: “She still has the ears. They’re hers.”
Parker hopes Sweet Pea’s story encourages more adopters to consider pets with disabilities. “They deserve love too,” she said.
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