10 Adorable Animals in Wheelchairs

Chris is a little pig with a big heart and is, perhaps, the most famous wheelchair-bound animal on the Internet. He was born without the use of his back legs and was adopted by a veterinarian who made him a wheelchair from toy parts. It wasn't long before his story got out and he started to inspire and fascinate the world.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Chris has done countless appearances at children's hospitals and charity events and has also appeared in publications and on TV shows around the world.

Holli had a rough start in life. She was born premature and was rescued by alpaca lover Michelle Zumwalt. A dog spooked her new herd, and Holli's spine was damaged in the commotion — she was paralyzed from the waist down. Vets told her caretaker that she should be put down, but Zumwalt wouldn't give up. She tried acupuncture, massages, water therapy, supplements, and eventually a wheelchair. She became a therapy animal and inspires others with physical problems.

Adorable little Estella was discovered paralyzed on the side of the road— her injury was most likely caused by her previous owner squeezing her too hard. She was taken in by the Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary, who launched a Facebook fundraiser to build her a custom wheelchair. They reached their fundraising goals in no time, and the new wheels immediately made a positive impact on Estella's life.

Tortoise shells offer great protection to the animal inside, but Blade couldn't bear the weight of his shell due to metabolic bone disease. When his owner noticed he was having issues, she brought him to a veterinarian who came up with a novel idea to help Blade — a LEGO skate to support the tortoise while letting his legs guide his movement.

Frostie was born with a disease called joint (navel) ill which left him unable to use his back legs. With a little help from a custom-made cart provided by farm sanctuary Edgar's Mission, his joints improved and his spirits lifted.

Frostie eventually made it out of his weelchair, but only for a short time— he passed away in 2014.

Sometimes, fish lose their buoyancy, and this can be a death sentence. When one Redditor's pet lost the ability to stay upright, he made the little guy a wheelchair. Well, not a wheelchair in the true sense of the word, but a specialized floating device, using a cork, and a sling to help the fish float in his proper position.

Born with deformed front legs, Roosevelt could only hop around on his back legs until he got a custom wheelchair from Eddie's Wheelchairs. He still hops around at home, but when going on walks, his wheels do wonders to help him keep up with his energetic nature.

Little Roozer Brewz was born with deformities and health issues that made it difficult for him to walk. Corrective booties helped him a little, but it was his custom wheelchair that really put a spring in his step by helping him strengthen the tendons in his back legs. It works so well that Roozer Brewz only requires his special shoes, and he walks and runs wonderfully with them on.

Flipper has a twisted spine — her hips and back legs are set at a 90 angle leaving them pretty useless when it comes to walking. When students in the Blitz Robotic Club at Conifer High School found out she was going to be put down due to this birth defect, they worked to create a solution to save her life. They developed a sling system with wheels that allows Flipper to cruise around without dragging her legs. Eventually, her twisted spine may work itself out, and she may be able to get around normally, but in the meantime, her new wheelchair is keeping her active and happy.

Ethel was affected by a mysterious illness that made her unable to use her back legs. While vets advised she be put down, her owner instead invested in a wheelchair that would give Ethel her mobility back. The device didn't just help Ethel get around but also started to improve the feeling in her legs as well.