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Gelato, a stray kitten with a lower-back spinal injury, has been adopted after Cincinnati Animal Care staff helped him move in a homemade wheelchair built from toy cars. The kitten was too small for standard shelter equipment, so veterinary assistant lead Mallory Smith first made a cardboard frame with two toy ambulance cars, then replaced it with a sturdier frame using wooden rulers, tape and zip ties. Gelato later received an adjustable 3D-printed cart and remains in therapy. Hope Hollandsworth adopted him on October 12, 2026, after seeing his widely shared photo.
What happened to Gelato?
Gelato was one of five stray kittens found near a Cincinnati road by Good Samaritan Sayre Morgan. An X-ray at Cincinnati Animal Care identified a lower-back spinal injury. He could not stand normally and dragged his hind legs.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsAt just over one pound and about four inches tall, Gelato was too small for the shelter’s standard wheelchairs. His size made a custom, temporary solution necessary while veterinarians and caregivers assessed his mobility and continued treatment.
How was the Hot Wheels wheelchair made?
Smith, who fostered Gelato, initially taped two Hot Wheels-style ambulance toys beneath a cardboard frame. The cardboard broke when Gelato turned and moved.
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She rebuilt the device with four wooden rulers purchased for 99 cents each, electrical tape, duct tape and zip ties. Smith called the improvised chair “The Lion’s Throne.” It gave Gelato a way to move around the shelter, but it was a temporary aid rather than a medically validated wheelchair design.
Why the toy-car design mattered
The makeshift cart provided mobility at a moment when commercial equipment did not fit. Smith said it was “really cute to get to see him kind of have that autonomy,” and reported that Gelato gained confidence as he learned to move.
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The story should not be treated as a do-it-yourself construction guide for a disabled animal. A homemade frame can rub the skin, put pressure on the spine or allow a cat to fall. Any cart should be selected with veterinary guidance and fitted to the individual animal.
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Did Gelato recover from his spinal injury?
Reports do not establish a full recovery or guarantee that Gelato will walk independently. Smith moved his legs daily as part of therapy, and Gelato later became able to stand without the temporary chair’s assistance. The shelter and his adopter hope he will regain more use of his back legs, but therapy is continuing.
As Gelato grew, Smith and an engineer friend also produced an adjustable black 3D-printed wheelchair. That later device was intended to accommodate his changing size more safely than the original cardboard prototype.
How did Gelato get adopted?
Cincinnati Animal Care shared a July photograph of Gelato. A TODAY/NBC report said the image received nearly 19,000 Instagram likes and attracted offers from people interested in building a sturdier device.
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Hope Hollandsworth saw the photo and met Gelato at the shelter. The Washington Post reported that she adopted him; a Times of India follow-up dates the adoption to October 12, 2026. Hollandsworth, a 28-year-old tattoo artist, already cared for two cats with spinal injuries, Bread Crumb and Sprinkles. She said Gelato was “just so cute” and that, “Either way he’ll be perfect to me.” Gelato went home with her and will continue therapy.
Can a wheelchair help a cat with a spinal injury?
A cart can support mobility for some cats, but whether it is appropriate depends on the injury, strength, balance, limb function and treatment plan. Best Friends explains that two-wheel carts are generally used for hindquarter support, while four-wheel carts provide support for animals needing help with all four limbs.
What a safe cart assessment includes
- Veterinary examination: A clinician should evaluate the spine, joints, pain, neurologic function and bladder or bowel issues before cart use.
- Custom fitting: Harnesses, chest support, wheel height and length must match the cat’s body. A loose fit can cause escape or falls; a tight fit can create pressure sores.
- Supervised sessions: Cats need short, monitored introductions and should not be left unattended in a cart.
- Skin and comfort checks: Inspect the chest, abdomen, legs and pressure points after every session, and remove the cart for rest, sleep, eating and toileting as advised.
- Suitable terrain: Smooth, level indoor flooring is easier to manage than stairs, loose rugs, gravel or outdoor obstacles.
What should owners consider before buying or borrowing a cat wheelchair?
Start with the disability rather than the product name. Ask the veterinarian whether the cat needs hindquarter support or four-limb support, whether a harness can be tolerated, and how much adjustability is needed as the animal grows or gains strength.
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| Decision point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Two-wheel or four-wheel support | Two wheels target hind-limb weakness; four wheels can support broader mobility limitations. |
| Custom fit and adjustability | Correct dimensions reduce rubbing and allow changes as the cat grows. |
| Harness design | Chest, pelvic and limb support must keep the cat stable without restricting breathing. |
| Terrain | Cart use is easier on level, unobstructed surfaces than stairs or uneven ground. |
| Removal for rest | The cat needs regular time out of the cart for comfort, grooming, toileting and sleep. |
Gelato’s experience shows how a shelter can improvise short-term mobility support, not that toy cars, rulers or tape are substitutes for veterinary equipment. A professional fitting and a treatment plan remain the safer route for a cat with a spinal injury.
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What happens next for Gelato?
Gelato is now living with Hollandsworth and her two special-needs cats while continuing therapy. His ability to stand without the first chair is encouraging, but his long-term mobility remains uncertain. The adoption gives him a home equipped to manage ongoing rehabilitation and daily monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Gelato when the shelter found him?
The reports identify him as a very young stray kitten but do not give an exact age. They describe him as weighing just over one pound and standing about four inches tall when the shelter evaluated him.
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Can I make a wheelchair from toy cars for my cat?
Gelato’s toy-car cart was an emergency, temporary shelter improvisation. Do not copy it as a medical design; ask a veterinarian or qualified mobility-equipment provider about a fitted cart for your cat’s measurements and diagnosis.
How long should a cat stay in a wheelchair each day?
There is no universal schedule because tolerance, injury and skin condition differ. A veterinarian should set session length, with frequent breaks and checks for rubbing, fatigue, pain or trouble urinating and defecating.
What signs mean a cat’s wheelchair fit is unsafe?
Redness, swelling, hair loss, open sores, chafing, abnormal breathing, repeated falling or sudden reluctance to move are warning signs. Remove the cart and contact the cat’s veterinarian if any appear.
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