Clearwater cat's wobbly walk doesn't stop him from needing — and deserving — a home

A cat named Rango can't walk a straight line, and he doesn't need to.

Rango was found wandering among a colony of cats in the driveway of a Clearwater duplex, according to a July 12 report by WFTS Tampa Bay 28 anchor Heather Leigh. He's now in foster care with AnimalLuvr's Dream Rescue, a Tampa Bay-area nonprofit, and is available for adoption.

A wobble with a name

Rango's unsteady gait comes from cerebellar hypoplasia, a neurological condition that affects balance and coordination. The condition, known as CH, is non-progressive, meaning it won't worsen over time. Rango is not in pain, is not contagious and can expect a normal lifespan. Because he was found as a stray, rescuers don't know whether he was born with the condition or developed it after an illness.

What Rango needs

Rango requires an indoor-only home with a few modifications. According to veterinary guidance from Cats Protection, a UK-based feline welfare charity, cats with CH do best with high-sided litter boxes for balance support, rugs or carpeting instead of slippery floors, raised food and water dishes, and padded furniture to cushion occasional tumbles. He does not require additional veterinary visits beyond routine care.

"He will live a happy life the way he is; he just needs a little extra care and safety," AnimalLuvr's Dream Rescue said in a statement.

According to Keller's Kats Rescue, a CH-focused advocacy group, cats with the condition are sometimes euthanized because people mistakenly believe it is painful or contagious. Advocates say greater adoption awareness could change that.

A corgi named Big Mac also awaits adoption

Rango isn't the only animal in ALDR's care looking for a home. Big Mac, an 8-year-old corgi mix, is housebroken, crate-trained and rides well in cars. The rescue describes him as easygoing and best suited for a home with older children and careful introductions to other dogs.

Four rescued tarantulas find a second chance

ALDR is also caring for four tarantulas of varying species seized during a county confiscation. The spiders had been kept in cramped, moldy containers with no documented care history before they arrived at the rescue.

They're now recovering in an experienced foster home equipped with proper enclosures, temperature and humidity control, and species-appropriate feeding schedules. ALDR describes them as low-maintenance, "look, don't handle" pets that can live for decades under the right care — a reminder that exotic pets require specialized knowledge, not impulse purchases.

How to adopt

AnimalLuvr's Dream Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Its adoption process includes an application, a home visit, a meet-and-greet with the foster parent, an adoption contract and a fee. Applications are open at animalluvrs.org/application-for-adoption.

The rescue is based in Lutz and serves the broader Tampa Bay region, with animals placed in foster homes throughout the area.