Gelato, a tiny kitten with a spinal injury, has captured hearts after shelter staff fashioned a makeshift wheelchair using toy cars and wooden rulers. Rescued as a stray in Cincinnati, Ohio, Gelato was taken to Cincinnati Animal Care, where an X-ray revealed that he could not use his hind legs due to an injury. The conventional wheelchairs available were too large for his small frame, weighing just over a pound and standing around four inches tall.
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To provide mobility, Mallory Smith, a veterinary assistant at the shelter, began creating a smaller wheelchair. Initially made from cardboard, the first version fell apart quickly. Undeterred, Smith used four wooden rulers and attached them to a frame with electrical tape, duct tape, and zip ties, enabling Gelato to move around again. She affectionately named the contraption “The Lion’s Throne.”
Gelato's story gained traction when his photograph in the toy-car wheelchair was shared on social media, appealing to many potential adopters. As interest grew, Smith collaborated with an engineer to develop a 3D-printed wheelchair that could adjust as Gelato grew. Throughout his time at the shelter, Gelato participated in physical therapy to improve his mobility.
On October 12, 2026, tattoo artist Hope Hollandsworth adopted Gelato after being moved by his story and photograph. Already a caregiver for two cats with similar mobility issues, she was well-equipped to provide for Gelato’s needs. After their meeting at the shelter, Gelato reportedly spent his first night at home sleeping in Hollandsworth's arms.
Though Gelato's recovery is ongoing, he now has a loving home where his special needs can be supported. Hollandsworth expressed her commitment, stating, “Either way he'll be perfect to me.” Gelato's journey from injury to adoption illustrates the impact of creativity, compassion, and community support in helping animals in need.