Published Feb 12, 2024
Heather Spencer
Meet Winky, the cat with dwarfism. As anyone who’s welcomed a special needs cat into their home knows, unique health challenges can be tricky to navigate, but those difficulties pale compared to the love and joy experienced with a feline friend. One big-hearted woman in Idaho found this out firsthand.
Winky wasn’t in great shape when Heather Spencer, a volunteer at Simply Cats Adoption Center in Boise, rescued her. Heather received a call about a litter of kittens that needed a foster home, and she agreed to foster Winky and her six siblings in the hopes of finding them loving families.
Winky has been fighting an uphill battle since birth. / Heather Spencer
Like most cats with dwarfism, Winky had a proportionally large head and shorter limbs and appeared exceptionally smaller than her littermates. In fact, at two months old, she weighed less than one pound.
Heather and Winky instantly bonded. The small feline arrived to the rescue with respiratory issues, leaky eyes, and chronic constipation—symptoms associated with dwarfism in cats. Fortunately for Winky, her health improved with consistent TLC and help from a veterinarian.
Winky says hello to her fans. / Heather Spencer)
Heather and her husband managed to find homes for Winky’s siblings, but Winky still had some growing to do before she could be adopted. After three months, Winky was ready to spread his wings, but it was too late for Heather, who had fallen madly in love with her!
Winky getting some love from Heather / Heather Spencer
With consistent medical check-ups and caring parents in Heather and her husband, Winky is now thriving in her new home alongside her adopted siblings.
Winky is cared for by her vet. / Heather Spencer
Despite her small stature, Winky’s sassy personality started to shine. She loves playing with her toys, cuddling with her humans, and enjoying belly rubs, which always come with purrs.
Winky has become a legitimate internet star! / Heather Spencer
Winky’s charm and inspiring story took the internet by storm, and she’s built up quite a following on social media! Fans can buy Winky-themed merchandise off Heather’s Etsy page and even purchase a personalized video from the star herself on Cameo.
Who says size matters, anyway?
