In 2014, Jake Wherley’s parents adopted a 9-year-old calico cat named Mackenzie from Paws and Prayers, a foster-based pet rescue in Cuyahoga Falls.
On the surface, Mackenzie behaved like any other cat. But she didn’t have claws. That became an issue when the Wherley family adopted a younger, playful kitten. Mackenzie didn’t know how other cats use their claws to playfully “swat” each other, which left Mackenzie with a few scratches.
“If you’re in a fist fight with someone, and your opponent’s got brass knuckles and you don’t, I don’t think that’s going to work in your favor a whole lot,” said Wherley, who is now the volunteer coordinator for Paws and Prayers…