Kit and her husband share their rural Ohio home with a beagle named Bobo and five cats. Their lively household is full of personality and love, and some very special paws—four of their cats are polydactyl, meaning they have extra toes. But it hasn’t been without challenges. Thanks to One Health Organization, Kit has been able to provide the care her furry family needs—ensuring they stay happy, healthy, and together.
Caring for a Unique Pet Family
Kit’s pets are as unique as they are beloved:
- Toesyphinia (Toesy): Toesy is polydactyl on all four feet, with her front paws spread like a human hand, earning her the nickname “patty paw.”
Kit explains, “She has five toes on her front feet, and they’re just all spread out like a human’s hand but not a separate thumb. It’s in sections like three and two.” Toesy joined Kit’s family at 10 months old when a friend couldn’t take her to Florida.
As shown in the picture of her, “She ALWAYS sits and lays with her front legs crossed like a little lady!”
- Koko: This Siamese mix was rescued as a feral kitten from Michigan. Kit says, “We drove four hours there and back to pick him up.” Nicknamed the “nope nope kitty,” Kit describes him as affectionate but only on his terms.
“He was about four weeks old when I saw him on Facebook. He was a partial Siamese mix, but he had extra toes. He comes in at night, and he’s all over us, snuggling up. It’s the weirdest thing, but if you’re sitting or lying down, then you don’t seem so big and scary, but it’s all on his terms.”
Pictured is Koko’s transformation—on the left, his first day at Kit’s home as a timid, scared kitten, and on the right, thriving in comfort and safety in her new home.
- MoCROI: A lynx point Siamese, MoCROI’s name means “from my heart” in Celtic.
Kit shares, “She has a special place in our heart. And she doesn’t go outside; she’s too young.”
MoCROI, the baby of the family whose name means “from my heart,” is pictured here with Koko, now fully grown, but still holding onto his independent spirit. Together, they fill Kit’s home with love and personality.
- Chunker, LuciPURRR, and Eshu Ellagua: These three hardworking cats patrol the property, helping to control the rodent population while adding their own charm to the household. Luci has seven toes on each front foot and six on each back foot. "It's really amazing to watch her climb trees and walk on the back of benches. These polydactyl cats have excellent balance with all those extra toes!" Kit shared.
- Bobo, their dog, joined the family after his previous owner moved for work.
After 45 minutes of chatting and handing over the leash, the owner told Kit’s husband, “Okay, I like you.” It was clear Bobo had found his forever home.
Whether lounging with LuciPurrrr or sharing a cozy bed with MoCROI, Bobo the beagle is always surrounded by his best cat friends.
- Kit’s household wouldn’t be complete without her shoulder cat, Eshu Ellagua, who never lets Kit out of his sight.
Kit shares, “He is a cool cat, and I call him my Night Fury. He is a shoulder kitty and VERY attached to me. Sleeps on his own pillow next to mine.”
How One Health Organization Made a Difference
Caring for so many pets on a fixed income is challenging, but Kit and her husband are deeply committed to their animals. As retirees living on social security, Kit and her husband want to provide the best care for their pets while staying within their means.
Kit discovered One Health Organization while searching for low-cost spay and neuter programs. “I take in a lot of animals, and I rehome,” Kit says. “I try not to take too many because the cats will get finicky and start showing that they are unhappy.”
With help from One Health Veterinary Care Vouchers, Kit was able to:
- Get vaccinations for Koko as a kitten.
- Provide treatment for an older cat suffering from kidney failure.
“One Health helped us tremendously,” Kit shares. “The Vouchers made it possible to get the care our pets needed when we couldn’t afford it on our own.”
Paying It Forward
Inspired by the help she received, Kit has found ways to give back. When she learned about a matching gift campaign through One Health, she jumped at the opportunity.
“What I donated was tripled,” she says. “I can’t give a lot, but I like to look for things like that to make it go further.”
Kit is deeply grateful for the support One Health Organization provides.
“We do what we can to earn a little bit extra to give our pets the best care, but One Health has helped us tremendously! We so appreciate you! All I can do is say, thank you, thank you!”
How You Can Help Families Like Kit’s
Kit’s story shows the impact of One Health Organization’s mission: ensuring pets and their families can stay together, even in tough times. But this work isn’t possible without the generosity of donors like you.
Join our Monthly Giving Program: Paws for Effect
Become a monthly donor and make a lasting impact on pets and families in need. With your support, we can continue to create stories of love and hope like Kit’s.