Tumbelina is a cerebellar hypoplasia (CH) kitten who was rescued from a high kill shelter by Valley Cats, Inc in L.A. This page is about her journey.

Valley Cats is a 501(c)3 tax-deductible organization. Our mission is to rescue cats and kittens in need, rehabilitate and re-home them. We know we can do it – one cat at a time. Many of our rescues come to us hurt, sick, scared or abandoned. We work with them until they are ready for adoption. Our volunteers and Board of Directors are dedicated to preserving the life and dignity of every animal we take in.


The story of Tumbelina started with a phone call to us, Valley Cats Inc. (West Hills, CA), from a friend who volunteers at a city pound and spots cats and dogs in danger of euthanasia. This little cerebellar hypoplasia (CH) kitten was being fostered by a shelter worker but her time was up and they could no longer keep her. Her CH brother had passed away so Tumbelina was now an orphan. We were sent a video of this “fainting kitten” which is what they thought she was. Valley Cats Inc. knew immediately this was not a fainting situation because the kitten couldn't even stand on her own, let alone get up after falling down. Arrangements were made to adopt her from the city pound and take her in as a Valley Cats, Inc. rescue. She had her first major seizure in the car on the way home and we went straight to the vet with her. Now we realized not only could she not stand alone, she has seizures as well. Jennifer, a Valley Cats volunteer, took on the job of fostering Tumbles (as we call her). She gets exercise, love, is part of whatever is going on in the house, and has become a very alert little girl. Tumbles is also playful and has a healthy appetite. She simply needs help ambulating! A cart was designed for her by Ruff Rollin' Wheelchair for Dogs (here on facebook) with this in mind and we are in the process of helping her get used to moving in an upright position. Seeing the world from a standing position is new to her and her head swivels constantly, looking at things for the first time.

Tumbles will still need to be exercised and must also be spayed before going on to a new forever home. This is one very sweet little kitten who is very able to communicate her needs by using various sounds. She has also potty trained herself to move away from her “business” to a clean spot on her potty pad. She needs to be placed in a home experienced in CH cats and dogs so that her needs will be taken care of properly. In all other aspects, Tumbles is a loving, active, playful little girl who loves life and has no idea that she is different from any other cats.