A paralyzed cat is back on the move thanks to a group of inventive high school students who built her a custom wheelchair.
The heartwarming moment was captured in a viral TikTok video shared by Samantha North (@snorth00), showing Tibby, the disabled cat, running around with newfound mobility. The clip has already racked up over 3 million views and more than 770,000 likes.
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Tibby ended up at an independent school in Pineville, Kentucky, earlier this year after being hit by a car. Samantha North, a literacy coach for grades six through twelve, told Newsweek that Tibby had “a crushed pelvis and complete paralysis of her back legs.”
Despite her injuries, Tibby still had control of her urinary and bowel functions and plenty of spunk. North explained that the students’ veterinary assisting teacher saw an opportunity for a hands-on project and approached the aerospace engineering class to design a solution.
Over the course of two weeks, the students researched, designed, and tested four wheelchair prototypes before creating the final version that fits Tibby perfectly. “One major issue was keeping the cat both comfortable and attached to the device,” North said. “They experimented with four wheels, three wheels, two wheels, and a roller. Finally, two wheels was best. Another challenge was making the device rigid but safe and light enough for her to move.”
Once fitted with her custom wheels, Tibby wasted no time showing off her new independence. In the video, she eagerly chases dangling keys across the floor, moving with excitement and energy.
North said the project wasn’t just a win for Tibby—it also taught the students valuable lessons. “Although it was a tragic situation, we learned an important lesson. This cat is still happy, loves to play, and finds ways to live a full life despite her disability,” she told Newsweek.
The online response has been overwhelmingly positive, with TikTok users praising both the students and the school for their creativity and compassion. One commenter wrote, “Omg, he’s playing so hard, I’m sobbing,” while another added, “They need to start making another for when she’s full grown. That is wonderful.”
Tibby’s story is a heartwarming reminder of how ingenuity, teamwork, and a little compassion can make a world of difference—even for a small, four-legged friend.