A Cincinnati animal shelter staff member, Mallory Smith, created a makeshift wheelchair for an injured kitten named Gelato using household items such as Hot Wheels and duct tape. The device was later replaced with an adjustable 3D-printed mobility device designed by an engineer friend of Smith's. As of the article's writing, Gelato is showing progress in regaining his muscle strength and is expected to walk unassisted soon. Gelato was found injured on the streets and brought to the shelter where he weighed just shy of one pound upon arrival.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Why this leaning score
The article uses neutral language and focuses on the creative solution provided by the foster mom, rather than taking a political stance or promoting a particular ideology. The only slight hint at leaning is in the phrase 'bringing attention to the need for a wider variety of assisted mobile devices for animals', which could be seen as subtly advocating for social welfare policies, but it's a weak signal.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score +0.05 for article 514 · logged 2026-08-06
So his foster mom made one with Hot Wheels and duct tape
Gelato has since graduated to an adjustable 3D-printed mobility device
asserted
Gelato → make → device
When Gelato the kitten arrived at a Cincinnati animal shelter last month, injured and unable to use his back legs, he was too tiny for an animal wheelchair.
asserted
he → arrive → wheelchair
The tabby kitten was found in the streets by a Good Samaritan and brought to Cincinnati Animal Care, where he was diagnosed with a spinal injury.
asserted
he → find → injury
While not paralyzed, his little back limbs had atrophied from lack of use, and he needed a way to get around while regaining his muscle strength.
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he → paralyze → strength
"He was only about just shy of one pound when he came," Mallory Smith, veterinary assistant lead at Cincinnati Animal Care, told As It Happens guest host Rebecca Zandbergen.
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It → come → Zandbergen
So Smith, who is currently fostering said little guy, decided to get creative and make one herself out of household items, including Hot Wheels, zip ties, and lots and lots of duct tape.
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who → foster → tape
"When a tiny kitten comes in who needs some extra help getting around, you use what's available to make it happen," the shelter wrote in a social media post.
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shelter → come → post
Wheelchairs for cats and dogs aren't actually chairs, but rather harnesses that strap the animal to a set of back wheels, so they can use their front legs to pull themselves around.
asserted
they → strap → themselves
It took some experimenting to get Gelato's just right, says Smith.
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Smith → take → experimenting
For her first prototype, she used cardboard to fashion a cradle and two legs.
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she → use → cradle
At the bottom of each leg she fastened a Hot Wheels ambulance.
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she → fasten → ambulance
The whole contraption was held together with zip ties and electrical tape.
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contraption → hold → ties
But the cardboard didn't cut it.
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cardboard → cut → it
"They weren't able to hold up his weight, especially when he would try and turn.
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he → hold → weight
So then I just got some wooden rulers for 99 cents each and put them on the sides.
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I → get → sides
"
Thus, Gelato's chariot was born.
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chariot → bear → ?
"He was able to walk around with it and it gave him some autonomy while also getting physical therapy at the same time," she said.
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she → walk → time
Out with the Hot Wheels, in with the actual wheels
Smith says the device soon turned Gelato into an internet celebrity.
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device → say → celebrity
But despite its charm, she says it wasn't a good long-term solution for the growing kitten.
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it → say → kitten
She has since worked with an engineer friend to design Gelato a 3D-printed wheelchair that's adjustable as he grows.
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he → work → Gelato
"He's able to use it really well and it's very exciting," she said.
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she → use → it
Gelato uses his device to get around and play, while undergoing regular physiotherapy to get his back legs moving again.
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legs → use → physiotherapy
So far, Smith says, he's showing progress.
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he → say → progress
"He's already starting to stand up on his own without the wheelchair assistance, but he can't quite take a lot of steps," she said.
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she → start → steps
"But I have a good feeling that he will be able to walk unassisted soon enough."
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he → have → feeling
Smith says she's glad Gelato is bringing attention to the need for a wider variety of assisted mobile devices for animals.
"
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Gelato → say → animals
There's definitely other kittens who are in need of this stuff," she said.
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she → be → stuff
"I'm really happy that he's getting that attention to kind of broadcast a bigger light on special needs animals in general."
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attention → get → general
If all goes well, he will walk right into a new home as soon as he's ready for adoption.
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he → go → adoption
It'll be a bittersweet moment for Smith, who has grown fond of her little ward.
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who → grow → ward
"I do really, really love him, but if I were to keep him, then it would hinder my ability to help the next animal that needs a foster," she said.
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she → love → foster
Elmer the kitten is now thriving after he was found in a bucket of glue
Cupid, the 2-legged puppy, left to die in the trash, fitted with prosthetics
She doesn't think it'll take for Gelato to get scooped up.
asserted
Gelato → thrive → prosthetics
