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From Paralysis to Hope: The Extraordinary Journey of HarPURR, the Resilient Rescue Cat
Matthew Russell
To get the full story on HarPURR, we spoke to Shannon Basner, the compassionate founder of Mojo's Hope, a foster-based rescue in Alaska dedicated to special needs animals, who opened her heart and home to this extraordinary feline.
A Chance Discovery
HarPURR's journey began on the cold streets of Alaska when a Good Samaritan stumbled upon him at just three weeks old.
"They reached out to us and said, would you be able to take him into your program?" Basner says. "So we met up with these people and took him in, and then got him into our vet the next day."
Despite his paralysis, this courageous kitten had miraculously survived the elements, a feat that left Basner in awe.
"His mom is the most amazing hero in the universe to me because she kept him alive outside in Alaska for three weeks," Basner says. "It was in a really rough part of town too."
A Mission of Compassion
Basner's mission to provide special care to animals with unique needs at Mojo's Hope aligned perfectly with HarPURR's situation.
Mojo's Hope is a bustling haven, sheltering 23 cats and two dogs, all of whom have found a place in the rescue's embrace. Within the facility's walls, a mission of caring for special needs souls takes center stage.
From diabetic felines who demand meticulous glucose control to those like Lady Purrl, who battles twisted leg syndrome, or Bridger McPurr, a recent addition with a paraplegic kidney. The roster also includes cats afflicted with cerebellar hypoplasia, or wobbly cat syndrome.
When new animals arrive at the rescue, "my first thing is to research and learn as much as possible, because I want to make sure we meet the needs of every single one," Basner says. "Their quality of care is not just good but exceptional because they need to receive the best care possible."
Basner has been involved in animal care for more than 30 years.
"As a child, I've always been involved with animals. And then as I got older, as soon as I was able to do things on my own, I started volunteering in various places like wildlife places," she says.
In from New York, Basner volunteered with the SPCA in Manhattan, before moving to Alaska where she was able to work more closely with animals.
"It gave me that opportunity where I met Mojo," she says.
Mojo was a special needs dog who was only with Basner for 10 months.
"He helped me really manifest my dreams of running a rescue," she says. "I just want to make sure we go above and beyond in every single facet of their care. This is including, socialization, behavior shaping, positive reinforcement and daily enrichment. Ensuring that each one is living a fulfilling life."
A lot of the rescue animals that come to Mojo's Hope for help end up staying there because of their significant needs, Basner says. When HarPURR was rehabilitated, Basner considered putting him up for adoption. HarPURR made it clear he had other plans.
"He did not want to go anywhere else," Basner says.