We’ve all seen pictures and videos of dogs in wheelchairs, featherless birds wearing cute little sweaters, or a fish who could not float, so his owner tied a little balloon around his belly to help him float and swim. These stories always leave smiles on our faces. We are grateful that our pets are healthy and do not require extra care. But how difficult is it to care for a special needs pet?
It is a matter of perspective. To some, caring for them is a monumental task, while for others, it may just be an easy extra half hour of their day. Many special needs pets become special because of an accident in their home. Accidents are not always preventable; sometimes our little animal friends can get into rather sticky situations. We’ve all seen it with our own goofy pets. We rush our pets to the emergency vet and sadly find out they need help with their everyday life. This is traumatic and saddening, as the person realizes their beloved pet has lost its independence. Being fully responsible for the daily care of a pet that is used to a different way of life is frightening. Not only do we now have a pet dependent on us for its every need, but we also must train them and ourselves to do things in a whole new way. Initially, this is not easy, and most people become overwhelmed and give up. Finding someone willing to take in a special needs pet is difficult; many pets end up at rescues.
Giving up a family member we love dearly is never easy, but feeling left with no choice because we doubt our ability to provide for its needs is often unnecessary. All it takes is a little patience, a few weeks of trial and error, and before you know it, you’re having the time of your life with your pet. It is not that much different than taking care of healthy pets. We adjust our routine to their needs, and it becomes a part of our everyday life. The beginning is always challenging as both the pet and the human try new approaches, but eventually, every pet and owner find their niche.
Dedication and determination are required to care for them; those who take on that responsibility commit to that animal for the rest of its life. Some days can be challenging when we do not feel well or need to travel but lack a contact who feels comfortable petsitting for us. However, having a special needs pet in your life is very rewarding.
Pets spend much more time with us when we care for their special needs, so they bond closely with us. Immobile pets love to cuddle and may require a wheelchair or a sling to go out for walks. Blind pets adjust smoothly to their surroundings and quickly discover how to navigate their homes.
These pets survived their injuries or birth defects, showing strength, courage, and the will to live. Therefore, they deserve a chance at life rather than euthanasia. Animals are very resilient. Some believe caring for them may become an unmanageable challenge, but why not try? We have so many resources available to us nowadays; finding solutions to a challenging question about their care is only a few clicks away. Every community has people dedicated to helping animals; we love helping those who want to learn.
Special needs animals are often overlooked, because some may believe their physical disabilities may make them unlovable. However, if you talk to anyone with a special needs pet, they will tell you quite the opposite. These pets are full of life, noisy, playful, goofy, and a joy to have. For those looking to add a new family member to their households, why not open your hearts to a special needs pet? They are just as amazing but are often forgotten, despite having much love to give. We can change their world by welcoming them into our hearts and homes. We may not be able to change the world, but the special needs pets that find forever homes with us, their entire world changes for the better. We are making a difference, one tiny step at a time. Together, we can do it and make the world a better place.
This article was inspired by Hadley. Hadley is a 14-year-old, female Quaker parrot who lost her upper beak in an unfortunate accident with a dog. Since then, she has been unable to feed herself, and her owners made the heartbreaking decision to rehome her. She was surrendered to Kasia’s Ark on July 23rd. Hadley requires four to five feedings daily, and so far, I’ve tried tube feedings, syringe feedings, and now I’m trying to feed her chunkier food with a pipette, which seems to be working well for us both! It took us over two months to find what works for us. Hadley spent the first month sitting in the window waiting for her owner to return, but she is slowly coming out of her shell and spending time with me. Animals adjust and are just as sweet and loving with their special needs as they are without them.
Kasia Perkowska is a bird rescuer and rehabber and the owner of Kasia’s Ark Bird Rescue.