Those first steps
Sally Skellington’s adoption story was supposed to be a happy ending — a rescue cat from Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) who was thriving in her loving new home. But just months after settling in, her world changed: Sally suddenly stopped walking.
Her family, alarmed and heartbroken, rushed her to an emergency clinic. Despite their efforts, no one could determine the cause of her paralysis. Faced with an agonizing decision, they surrendered her back to APA!, hoping the organization that once saved her could do so again.
And they did — just in time.
Veterinarians at APA! discovered that Sally had FIP (feline infectious peritonitis), a disease that was once a death sentence for cats. But APA! has been at the forefront of pioneering treatment for FIP, and Sally became one of the lucky few given a second chance.
The illness had robbed her of mobility and nearly her life. But with love, dedication, and groundbreaking care, Sally slowly began to heal. Her caretakers didn’t know how long her recovery might take — until one day, Sally took her first wobbly, miraculous steps.
“Walking isn’t groundbreaking for most cats,” APA! wrote on Facebook, “but for Sally, it’s life-changing.”
Shaky but determined, Sally walked across the room at the shelter, cheered on by the same team that had saved her twice. Her resilience was nothing short of extraordinary.
“Thanks to groundbreaking care, Sally is already improving, regaining her strength, and even taking her first steps again,” said Luis Sanchez, APA!’s director of public relations and communications.
Now, Sally is heading to a new forever home, where she’ll continue building strength, confidence, and independence — one brave step at a time.
For a cat who’s overcome the unimaginable, every little step is a big victory. 🐾💪💛