Hope Alliance helps cats find homes

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) - It is tough to find loving homes for pets that have disabilities, but one woman in New Haven is working to change that.

It's a labor of love for Lisa Ruoppolo, caring for cats that suffer from some of the saddest conditions.

"Jeremy you can't really see but he has deformed feet. his pads fused together from frost bite," says Lisa Ruoppolo.

Out of her New Haven home, Ruoppolo runs The Hope-Alliance.org.

"This is Chrissy she is an abuse survivor," says Ruoppolo.

The non profit organization takes in cats with physical challenges that make them the least desirable for adoption.

"What we want to try and do is make sure people know just because cats have special needs they don't need to be euthenized," says Ruoppolo.

Every year during the holidays, The Hope Alliance take in another special needs cat. This year a special cat named Lucy found a home. She has brain damage and has a hard time walking.

"They are amazing, they are inspirational they don't let their disabilities or problems get them down," says Ruoppolo.

The group has helped more than 200 cats. Lisa gets requests for help everyday. She only allows a max of 20 cats at any given time.

"We put them on a waiting list and in the meantime we try to advise them," says Ruoppolo.

Grant money and donations help pay for food, treatments and daily medications. Ruoppolo says they could always use more volunteers.

"If someone can come just two hours a month that would be wonderful, that's where we start with people," says Ruoppolo.

The payback she says is priceless-knowing these animals are getting a second chance.