A cat from Connecticut with hind-leg paralysis has taken the state title in the Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards, pushing his story onto a national stage.

Ryder earned enough votes in the statewide competition to advance to the Best in Nation round. His owner, Lisa Karwowski, said she hopes the attention helps pets with disabilities, a cause she supports as co-founder of Fur-Gotten Tales Animal Rescue.

“Specifically, paralyzed cats have become my special passion just because I know that even vets out there don’t think that they can live a good life, and unless you find the right vet, they are getting euthanized,” Karwowski said. “And there’s a large community out there of people with paralyzed pets, and it’s the same story: They thrive, they love, they’re happy, as long as they get the proper care.”

Karwowski learned about Ryder in December 2024 after a good Samaritan found him abandoned in a bag with a broken spine. She said she saw his photo on social media and knew how serious his condition was because she had already cared for a paralyzed cat.

“I was really busy at the time, and I was trying to sneak in looking to see if anybody was willing to help him, any other rescue. I finally got out of what I was doing, and I saw that nobody except for one other rescue was willing to just take him to the vet and put him down for potential quality of life,” Karwowski said. “But being a paralyzed cat owner already … I knew that I could at least give him a chance to recover and have a good life.”

She first told people she was only fostering Ryder temporarily, but said his personality changed that plan.

“Honestly, that picture that I saw of him … I had some connection in my heart that I knew he wasn’t going to be leaving,” she said. “I think once I realized how strong he was compared to our other paralyzed cat… how he can climb furniture, how personable he was, how social he was, how playful he was … I just knew that creating an online presence for him would show the world that these animals can and deserve to live.”

By August 2026, Ryder had built a following of more than 150,000 people across social media platforms. Karwowski said making videos about him can still be emotional.

“I cried sometimes making the videos, seeing his story or his strength or how much inspiration he’s created for a lot of people,” she said. “The reason I connect with a lot of these animals … the ones that nobody wants or nobody’s willing to help or put in the time and effort knowing… is some of my own chronic illness … He encourages me to keep getting up and moving. And I’m sure a lot of people say the same about their pets.”

Karwowski said another part of Ryder’s online presence is the recognition it gives to people with disabilities.

“You never know who could see it that needs to see it, whether it’s an animal in need or a person in need. We actually have a lot of people who are paralyzed that comment and say, ‘This is very useful!’ or ‘You’re showing the world that people like me deserve to live and don’t need to be looked at in a weird way,'” she said.

Karwowski also shared advice for people thinking about adopting a paralyzed cat. She said many need regular manual bladder and bowel expression, and that a veterinarian should demonstrate the process. She said homes should be made safer with gates and barriers to prevent falls, especially near stairs or elevated furniture, and that a one-level space can make mobility and supervision easier.

She said adopters should build a support system with a partner, family member, trusted pet sitter or vet tech who can help with routines or emergencies. She also recommended finding a primary vet who understands special-needs pets, with a veterinary neurologist or another specialist available for guidance, and connecting with experienced caregivers, rescue groups or online special-needs pet communities.

Karwowski said Ryder’s awards run has already brought attention to him, his disability and rescue work.

“It’s brought in so much publicity to him and his disability and rescue in general. So I absolutely am speechless … it’s hard to put to words sometimes,” she said.

If Ryder wins Best in Nation, Karwowski said the prize money will go toward his care and the care of other rescue cats.

“We had a cat a couple of weeks ago … her vet bill exceeded $5,000. She was severely sick. You know, everybody would have just let her go, but we kept trying, we tried a couple of days with intensive care. And now our little, our new little 6-week-old paralyzed kitten that was at risk again of being put down … she’s going to need care as well,” she said. “So it’s just going back to all of our animals.”

Voting for the Best in Nation prize closed in late July. The PLCA website says the top pet in America will be announced in a broadcast in the fall.

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