Blaire is a seven-month-old Domestic Shorthair kitten in St. Cloud, FL, who needs $2,000 for corrective surgery.

Blaire is battling the odds, making progress, and needs your help!

The kitten's story with Helping Paws Humane Society begins even before she was born. Someone abandoned a pregnant cat locked inside an animal carrier at a playground. Kind people discovered the mama cat, saved her, and got in touch with Helping Paws. That cat was Blaire's mother. "Unfortunately, we see animals dumped all too often. It is really cruel. Luckily, someone found her and got her to the right place," Karen B., with the rescue, tells Waggle.

When the mother cat gave birth, Blaire was part of the litter. But shortly after Blaire was born, the rescue noticed her back feet were not quite right; they face inward and are somewhat twisted. She isn't able to walk well, and drags her back legs. It turned out Blaire has a congenital condition (called bilateral tarsal deformity) that affects how her tendons connect her legs to her feet. "Two veterinarians said we should euthanize Blaire," Karen says. "But she was so vibrant and sweet we said, 'No, we have to do all we can to help her.'"

The rescue found a specialist for Blaire's case, Dr. Cheryl Tano, at BluePearl Hospital. The kitten's medical team is trying splints and surgeries to help her walk again. If they don't do anything, Blaire's condition will only get worse.

"I am in love with this little girl and constantly amazed by what she can do despite her disability," Lisa L., who is Blaire's foster mom, tells Waggle. "She’s had one surgery and will have a second on her other back leg, but all that takes time and money."

The rescue relies on donations to help pay for animals' veterinarian care. The nonprofit group hopes they can raise enough to get Blaire the care she needs for a chance to walk. "She has such a bad situation she didn't ask for," Karen says. "By donating, you're making it possible for her to get her surgery. Thank you!"