When a former adopter of Furget Me Not Animal Rescue in Edmonton, Alberta, called about a cat with extra legs, founder Christine Koltun didn’t believe it. But when a team member arrived to check, they found a petite, gentle cat with six legs —and a one-of-a-kind story ready to unfold.
A Strange Discovery in the Yard
The one-year-old feline, later named Bitsy, had appeared in someone’s backyard looking dirty and injured. While most would’ve assumed a tumor or maybe even a mama cat carrying a kitten, the truth was far stranger: Bitsy was born with two extra limbs sprouting from near her hindquarters.
“When we first met Bitsy, she was quite dirty and had sores on three of her six legs. Fortunately, she was incredibly sweet and gentle, which confirmed that she was definitely not a feral cat and had been cared for by someone up to that point. We were able to scoop her up and pop her in a carrier,” Koltun said.
But her unique anatomy was clearly causing pain. Three of her six legs had open sores, and basic activities—like standing over a food dish—were difficult.
Unraveling the Mystery of the Extra Limbs
Furget Me Not staff worked with Windermere Veterinary Hospital to figure out how best to help Bitsy. First came the mystery of where those extra legs came from. Dr. Boctor at Windermere suspected Bitsy had absorbed a twin in the womb—an incredibly rare condition known as a parasitic twin. To confirm there were no additional internal organs from the absorbed sibling, the veterinary team ran X-rays and ultrasounds.
One X-ray revealed that one of Bitsy’s legs were attached upside down and backward. Of her six legs, only three could bear weight, making the idea of leg amputation a clear option as the others were dead weight. To give Bitsy a shot at a pain-free life, the vet team decided to remove the extra limbs, including the compromised back leg they were attached to via an incomplete secondary pelvis.
A Life-Changing Surgery
A two-hour surgery later, Bitsy emerged lighter, safer, and instantly more comfortable.
“We sent a soft, comfy bed to the vet clinic for her recovery, and the first few days, she wouldn’t get out of it; she was so comfortable. She had been unable to lie down properly pre-op; she had to splay her legs out to the sides like a spider. Knowing she could lie in a cat bed comfortably for the first time in her life was extremely moving,” Koltun said.
That wasn’t the only change. Bitsy began playing, jumping, and walking like a typical three-legged cat. She had finally been given the freedom to move without pain—and she took full advantage.
From Rescue to Forever Home
After healing at the clinic, Bitsy was adopted by Mackenzie, Windermere’s office manager, who had helped care for her. “She is free of pain and we expect her to live a normal, happy, and healthy life,” Mackenzie said.
And for the many people who followed Bitsy’s story, the journey isn’t over. Mackenzie has created an Instagram account to share Bitsy’s new life—minus a few extra legs, but full of heart, curiosity, and second chances.
From the streets to the surgical table to her forever home, Bitsy is a reminder of the magic that happens when compassion meets resilience—and when animal lovers don’t give up on the underdog, or in this case, the extra-legged wonder.
