Upon first glimpsing a picture of Pinocchio, Jacqueline Santiago sensed a unique quality about him. Despite his slender physique, large blue eyes, and crooked tooth, it wasn’t until she actually met him that she truly grasped how extraordinary he was.

The founder of Friends for Life Rescue Network, Santiago, shared with The Dodo that he initially couldn’t fully comprehend Pinocchio’s facial condition until the pup was brought to their facility. Pinocchio was born with a cranial abnormality, which resulted in his face appearing twisted. His misaligned jaw limited him to only being able to consume wet food, and he also required an operation for a large umbilical hernia. Thankfully, the rescue has experience handling special needs cases as they have a veterinarian available on-site.

Friends for Life Rescue Network
When Santiago encountered the 4-month-old kitten, he was unaware of any differences between them.
“He was incredibly sweet from the start,” Santiago recalled. “He started purring right away.”

Pinocchio easily makes friends with everyone he encounters, both humans and animals, and is known for his outgoing nature. Santiago describes him as confident and sociable, always eager to greet new visitors. He loves climbing onto people’s shoulders, rubbing against them, playing, and bouncing around. Overall, he is a cheerful and friendly cat who enjoys the company of others, including cats and dogs.

Friends for Life Rescue Network provided Pinocchio with medical care and surgeries to address his umbilical hernia and sternum placement issues while he was in a foster home. The staff at the facility developed a strong bond with him and even created a special Superman wrap to safeguard his stitches. During his follow-up appointments, they even customized a tiny red cape for him to wear.

Friends for Life Rescue Network provided an update on Pinocchio’s recovery, revealing that although he is healing well, he may not be ready for adoption until he is older due to his ongoing medical issues. Santiago mentioned that they are not currently accepting any applications or inquiries during his treatment period, as they are still assessing his future needs. While they understand his current needs, they are prepared for potential changes as he grows and develops.

Friends for Life Rescue Network is currently seeking a unique and loving family for Pinocchio, the kitten with a charmingly crooked face. Despite his unconventional appearance, Pinocchio never fails to wear a heartwarming smile that is sure to win the hearts of his future adopters.