About Lil BUB

BUB is a very special one of a kind critter. More specifically, she is the most amazing cat on the planet. In July of 2011, she was discovered as the runt of a healthy feral litter in a tool shed in rural Indiana at only a few weeks old. She was taken in as a rescue when it was clear that she would require special care. Since then BUB has become one of the most famous cats on planet. She is a published author, a talk show host, the star of an award winning documentary, created Lil BUB's Big FUND for the ASPCA (the first national fund for special needs pets), and has helped raise over $200,000 for animals in need.

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To read more about BUB's rise to fame and the details of her remarkable story, please check out the two articles listed at the end of this page. To learn more about what makes BUB special, read on below.

Picture #1.[imgur.com]

BUB was born with a multitude of genetic anomalies which all add up to one of nature's happiest accidents. She is a "perma-kitten", which means she will stay kitten sized and maintain kitten-like features her entire life. She also has an extreme case of dwarfism, which means her limbs are disproportionately small relative to the rest of her body and she has some difficulty moving around. She has short, stubby legs and a long, ferret-like body. Her lower jaw is significantly shorter than her upper jaw, and her teeth never grew in which is why her tongue is always hanging around. Fortunately BUB has a very healthy appetite and eats dry and wet food with no problems. Additionally, BUB is a polydactyl cat, meaning she has extra toes, and in her case, one extra toe on all of her four paws, adding up to 22 toes (and 22 claws). And then of course there are her big, bulging, wonder-filled green eyes. Some think she can see into the future with those things. Despite her unusual looks and numerous "deformities", BUB is a healthy, happy cat living in the care of her "dude" who treats her like a queen.

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Shortly after turning one year old, BUB was diagnosed with an exceptionally rare bone condition called osteopetrosis. BUB is the only cat in recorded history to have been born with this disease, which has made it very difficult to treat. The disease causes her bones to progressively grow denser as she grows older, eventually making it hard for her to move around. By the time she was only a year and a half old, she was having great difficulty moving around and was almost completely immobile. But thanks to her popularity, we were able to receive some advice from fans and specialists, and eventually discovered a very effective treatment with a device called the Assisi Loop, which uses Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy. Since we started these treatments almost two years ago, BUB is now able to run and jump like never before – something we were told would never be able to happen. Beyond her unique looks, BUB has a remarkable demeanor and attitude that is unlike any other cat. She is always full of wonder, always calm, and surprisingly comfortable and at peace in just about any situation. She loves to travel and gladly sits on her dude's lap in cabs, subways, planes and even his shoulder as he walks around outside. Her dude owns 4 other wonderful adopted cats, but would never dream of even taking them for a car ride, as they would lose their minds (as would most cats). But as a space traveler, this is nothing for her.

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Beyond being overwhelmingly cute, exceptionally smart, and painfully witty, BUB is an advocate for homeless and special needs pets all over the universe. Since before she was a star, she has made it a point to spread a message of positivity, acceptance and inspiration. She proves that being different is better and she encourages the adoption of pets and helping those less fortunate. In February of 2014, BUB and the ASPCA announced Lil BUB's Big FUND , a national fund to provide grants to shelters with special needs pets. To date Lil BUB has helped raise more than $200,000 for various charities through her online store and meet-and-greets at animal shelters all over the country, while spreading awareness about the importance of adoption, and spaying and neutering your pets.

To learn more about the world of BUB, please check out these articles:

Corporate Cats Still Suck: The Improbable Tale of Indie Superkitty Lil BUB[www.spin.com] - by Camille Dodero
A very well-written long-form piece about BUB and her work.

Exclusive Interview with BUB's Dude[consciouscat.net] - by Ingrid King
A very thorough and insightful interview with BUB's owner about the story of BUB.

Lil BUB & Friendz - an award-winning documentary by VICE Media, detailing the first year and a half of her life.

Picture #3.[imgur.com]