Two-legged 'bunny cat' doesn't let disability slow her down
NEW ORLEANS, LA (KTRK) -- Lil' Bunny Sue Roux, known to her friends as Roux, was born without her two front legs, but that doesn't slow her down at all. In fact, Roux does the same thing as any four-legged cat, just with a little more bounce.
Roux was rescued from a New Orleans animal shelter in 2014 when she was just six months old. Her owner, Jackie Deak Akey, said Roux was born without her two front limbs due to a congenital abnormality. Akey said when she first saw Roux, the bright-eyed kitten immediately stood out.
"We of course thought she was absolutely precious, regardless of her lack of front legs. She's got a little pink nose and huge, bright blue eyes that really capture you. It really was love at first sight," said Akey. "But in addition to that, we knew that we could provide her a loving forever home, especially when we found out she was surrendered to a shelter by her previous owner. Although I personally have a lot of animal experience, I wasn't totally sure what Roux would need, but I felt up to the challenge and ready."
The adorable Siamese mix hops with both back legs in unison like a rabbit and she can move really fast when she wants to. Akey created an Instagram account for showcasing Roux's skills, and within one month - she had more than 50,000 followers. Today, her account has nearly 400,000 followers.
Roux's perseverance and ability to adapt have inspired people around the globe.
"We think it is because she shows what she can do with her disabilities, and in all honesty, she does the same things as our four-legged cats can do," said Akey. "Animals don't feel self-pity, and Roux surprises us all the time with a new behavior that she didn't use to do. She doesn't let anything get in her way and that truly serves as an inspiration to those who may face obstacles in life."
According to Akey, Roux may need to be fitted with prosthetic legs when she gets older, particularly if the hopping starts to take its toll on her back. However, Roux's back legs are super strong and she can leap extremely high.
"She has provided us with so much joy, and we are so grateful that she is in our lives," said Akey.
All of Roux's followers are grateful too and the friendly feline has started to use her social media celebrity to bring attention to pet adoption.
