Rushie the Special Needs Kitty: Rescued From the Streets of Dubai & Now an Internet Sensation

Watched by more than one million viewers, the story of Rushie is the sort of uplifting tale we all need to hear right now. Found on the streets of Dubai with paralyzed hind legs, this scrawny ginger & white kitten was almost certainly headed for euthanasia. However, her rescuer saw something in her eyes that told her she was stronger than she looked and just needed to be given a chance.

The nerve damage to Rushie’s right hind leg was severe, and the limb was amputated by the rescue center, but this didn’t slow this brave kitty down. It was unknown how long she had been managing on the streets with her injuries, but Rushie had obviously started to adapt to her altered way of life. With the removal of one of the limbs, her mobility seemed to improve, and although the remaining limb will never be functional, it provides her with enough support and stability to keep her moving surprisingly well.

Knowing that her chances of adoption in her home country were not good, Rushie’s rescuers reached out to US veterinarian and internet personality, Dr Matt McGlasson for help. Arrangements were made to bring Rushie over from Dubai, where she would stay with Dr Matt’s family until she could find a permanent home.

Within around 30 minutes, they knew she already had.

Rushie – Newest Member of the McGlasson Family

Despite her significant disability, Rushie seems intent on showing her new family that she is just as playful, active, and adventurous as any other cat her age. Jumping might be off the table, but the footage of her descending the staircase is about as adorable as things get.

It would be easy to look at a cat with Rushie’s injuries and think that euthanasia may have been the kinder option, knowing that she will never be able to do everything a normal cat can do. However, Rushie’s youth was on her side. Not only was she more adaptable to change than an older cat might be, but she also hadn’t had years of normal mobility to look back on. This is her normal now. And finding herself in the home of a veterinary surgeon means that she will always be in the best hands.

Of course, Rushie isn’t the only cat in need that Dr Matt has helped over the years. His passion for helping cats – one video at a time – is clear when viewing the reels on his Instagram page, shining a light on all things feline. He is also passionate about raising awareness about the challenges faced by veterinary staff, and how improving vet practice working culture can help restore the passion many vets have lost for their profession. In fact, in 2022 he was awarded the prestigious DVM360 Veterinary Heroes Award in recognition of his work.

In his new book, How To Rate A Cat, Dr Matt uses his fun-loving style to rate 60 real cats, using his Cat Rating System, which assesses qualities like:

• Peets
• Chonkiness
• Floofiness
• Color/Markings
• Catitude
• Purrsonality

When you see how many stray and injured cats there are in need of treatment and loving homes, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed, wondering ‘what difference can I make?’ It might seem like one person can’t have much of an impact on the problem as a whole, but one person can have a huge impact on a single life. Thanks to the kindness of her rescuers in Dubai, and her new family in Kentucky, Rushie has a future, and her story will help show the world that a disability doesn’t have to be a death sentence.

We look forward to seeing how Rushie progresses in her new life and wish her the very best.

For more interesting, exciting, and uplifting stories like Rushie’s, be sure to subscribe to Catster.com and follow @catstermag.