Cats Chef
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Joey’s journey has been anything but easy. A young cat from Houston, Texas, Joey survived a level of cruelty that would have broken many animals. But thanks to one woman’s compassion, a rehabilitative rescue, and an act of faith, Joey has finally found a forever home where he can just be a cat—wobbly legs, seizures, and all.
From Trauma to Hope
Joey came into the world under harsh circumstances. He was rescued as one of six cats from a home where severe abuse had clearly been inflicted. At only about three to six months old, Joey already had multiple injuries.
He was examined by veterinarians eleven separate times, and the damage was extensive: a fractured skull, brain injury, a ruptured eardrum, a head tilt, dehydration, bruising, and serious liver complications. Incredibly, despite recommendations that he might be euthanized, Joey survived.
He carries permanent disabilities. Powell, his adopter, describes Joey’s physical and cognitive challenges candidly: “He walks bow-legged in his front limbs… poor balance, so he is a little wobbly and his jumps aren’t always accurate. He’ll either jump to the side or completely miss.”
He also experiences occasional seizures, especially during sleep. But even with all this, Joey behaves like a cat who desperately wants to live like any other. He climbs, plays, and tries to jump—even when he sometimes falls.
Enter Hannah Powell, a 29-year-old resident of Houston who, after losing her childhood cat in 2023, felt the call to rescue again. She visited the Houston Humane Society to meet animals in need, but one kennel stood out: Joey’s.
He was the only cat without any visitors. The sign outside his kennel told part of his story—survivor of abuse, subjected to multiple traumas. Hannah says she was “immediately tearing up.” Without hesitation, she knew she had to bring Joey home.
In the first few days, things were cautious. Joey was kept in Hannah’s bathroom so he could acclimate without being overwhelmed. But even in that confined space, something shifted. “I think I cried because it was like he knew that he was home and he was safe,” Hannah said. “We had this mutual understanding.”
When he was finally allowed to roam more of the apartment, his eyes lit up. That moment was transformative.
A Family, New Life, and Healing
Joey’s home doesn’t feel empty. A month after adopting him, Hannah also adopted a cat named Mama, and shortly after, she foster-failed Salem in October 2024—meaning Salem stayed permanently. The three cats get along incredibly well.
Although Joey needs a bit of space sometimes, since the other cats can overwhelm him, he has shown remarkable tenderness toward his siblings. He even carries Salem in his mouth in mother-cat style, which surprises Hannah but warms her heart.
Life with Joey is not always easy. His front limbs are bow-legged, his balance is off, and he trips or misses jumps. But he also has bursts of energy, affection, and playfulness that he seems determined to exercise—no matter the risk of wiping out.
Hannah makes sure to cushion places where he falls, offering soft places to land and adjusting things so jump heights are manageable. It’s not a perfect setup, but it’s one full of love and hope.
Joey’s resilience is not just physical—it’s emotional. He’s come to trust Hannah and his new family. He demonstrates care for his younger siblings, comforts them, and in return receives affection. He’s no longer the cat who escaped every interaction—now he seeks it. And though he’s still nervous at times, the fear isn’t the defining characteristic of him anymore.
Raising Awareness and Inspiring Others
Joey’s story has already resonated with many beyond Hannah’s home. She shared his story on TikTok (@hann_roxy), where videos of him navigating jumps, interacting with siblings, or simply being his quirky self have touched tens of thousands.
Hannah hopes that by sharing Joey’s journey, she can help in two big ways: one, raising awareness about animal cruelty and the way it can disable and traumatize animals, and two, encouraging people to consider adopting rescue animals who have special needs, or who are often passed over because they’re not “perfect.”
Joey may not be able to run like other cats or land every jump cleanly, but he has spirit, joy, and love to give. And for many people, that’s exactly what matters.
Joey’s Forever Home
Now, Joey rests on his fluffy bed, watches birds from windows, cuddles with Mama and Salem, and occasionally stumbles after an ambitious jump. He feels safe. He feels loved. And that, in many ways, makes all the difference.
His body may carry scars and lasting disabilities, his brain might waver, and his ears might still ring from past injuries—but his heart is full of gratitude. Joey didn’t just escape abuse; he found a home that celebrates him, not in spite of what he endured, but in recognition of how far he’s come.
If you ever scroll through rescue stories and think, “What can one person do?” remember Joey’s journey. Because one person—Hannah—decided she couldn’t walk away. And for a cat born into trauma, that decision changed everything.