“I share my home with disabled cats and dogs”
Nicole Wulfekuhle shares her home with 29 disabled and rescued animals – and her brood keeps growing
When Nicole Wulfekuhle rescued a sick tabby cat, she had no idea that within six years, she’d transform her home into a sanctuary for 29 disabled and rescued animals.
Now, the mum of three starts her morning routine at 6am to feed and exercise her 26 cats and three dogs, as well as change some of their nappies.
Her furry family includes Jude, a blind American Staffordshire Terrier with spinal deformaties, and a Pug Yorkie-Poo cross named Max, who came to her home with a broken leg at seven weeks old.
REWARDING
Nicole looks after the animals along with her husband Dean, 49, who was paralysed in a car accident 28 years ago. The pair say they’re passionate about showing that disability doesn’t have to define you.
Nicole, 51, says, “Most of the animals we take in have run out of options – our mission is to provide them a loving home, when no one else will.
“We want to show that there is more to these wonderful cats and dogs than the challenges they face. This ethos is now the foundation of our sanctuary, Lennon’s Legacy, which is the name of the first dog I rescued with a disability.
“It’s a lot of work, and I never set out to have this many, but looking after these animals is so rewarding and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Nicole, who is originally from Newport, Wales, met her husband, Dean, online in June 2008. She says, “Dean messaged me out of the blue on Facebook. He didn’t hide the fact that he’d survived a car accident that left him paralysed from the neck down.
“We messaged all day, every day, and eventually I travelled to Minnesota, USA, where he lived, to meet him; it was love at first sight. I didn’t see his disability or his wheelchair, just the amazing person he is. And within two years, I’d relocated to the USA with my daughters, Ffion, 23, Imogen, 21, and Mollie, 19.”
An animal lover, Nicole was keen for her and Dean to get a cat, and in May 2013 they adopted a ginger tabby, named Oscar. She says, “I used to volunteer at the local humane society, which is where I met Oscar. I fell in love with him instantly.
“On the second week, I brought him home and I planned to just be his foster carer until he found an owner – but he never left.
“Oscar had feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can be triggered by stress. But as Oscar began to trust us and feel comfortable in his new surroundings, his symptoms practically went away. Oscar’s condition got me thinking about all of the vulnerable animals that were not being homed due to their health. So when we got another cat, I wanted to adopt one with special needs.
“In 2015, we adopted our black and white cat Tippy, who had cerebellar hypoplasia, which makes cats sway from side to side when trying to walk.
“But despite his difficulties, Tippy was a wonderful pet. After Oscar and Tippy, I just wanted to help more cats.”
Nicole registered with lots of charities to start fostering animals. She also spoke to vets in the area to let them know she was willing to take in vulnerable cats and dogs.
MALNOURISHED
She says, “Soon, I began adopting kittens who were vulnerable. I got Coraline Lovecat, the blind white tabby, and our beloved moggy Poppy, who only has one eye. Within four years, I had 10 cats.”
Then, in January 2018, Nicole saw a video of a yellow Labrador called Lennon on a disabled animal group chat.
She says, “He was a blind and deaf Indian street dog. I instantly sent them a message and said I’d care for him.
“He finally reached us a month later after the charity paid for his plane fare, but he was in really bad shape. He was
malnourished, he couldn’t walk or stand, and he couldn’t eat or drink without assistance.
“Sadly, just 19 days later, Lennon passed away. We were devastated.”
Shortly after Lennon’s death, she decided to set up her own sanctuary.
She says, “I was already rescuing animals, but it was getting difficult financially. I needed to make it a non-profit organisation so I could get donations and afford to take in more vulnerable pets.
“When it came to naming our charity, Lennon’s Legacy seemed the perfect way to honour his short life.
“Due to Dean’s circumstances, I think we have a different perspective on life to most people. We’re passionate about doing our bit and helping those who might otherwise be forgotten.”
LOVING
Since opening Lennon’s Legacy in July 2019, Nicole has been busier than ever.
She says, “Word got out and people were coming to me with pets in need.”
A year ago, Nicole adopted her one-year-old blind pooch Jude. She says, “He uses his other senses to make up for his loss of sight – particularly hearing and smell. He can be stubborn, determined and naughty – just like any puppy – but he’s very loving.”
Nicole relies on donations to take care of her 29 animals.
She says, “It costs me around £500 a month. One of our cats has a wheelchair, and there are others that are incontinent and need nappies. My day starts at 6am and finishes at 10.30pm.
“We rely on donations from the public, and local companies and charities donating food and supplies.
“Luckily, we have a lot of space. We have a three-bedroom house in the country – the cats have their own room filled with
❛ THERE’S NO GREATER FEELING THAN GIVING AN ANIMAL A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE RIGHT ALIGNED
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scratching posts and comfy beds that they love, and our three dogs rule the roost and go wherever the please.
“It’s been harder during the pandemic, as I would like to have a small team of volunteers to help look after the animals and manage the website. Dean is limited in what he can do, and it’s a lot for one person.
“It’s a big task, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love it so much, and I really hope people think more about adopting an animal. There’s no greater feeling than giving an animal a second chance at life!”
● For more information, or to donate to Lennon’s Legacy, please visit Lennonslegacy.org