I say that this is her birthday, because the rescue we got her from listed it but the truth is that it could be any time this week. She was picked up as a tiny street kitten and taken to a shelter. The rescue Critical Animal Relief Foundation spotted her with a foot they listed as “naked” and some other small injuries and took her in. That’s what they do — they find animals who need medical care and pull them out of shelters and place them with fosters to help them get healthy.

That’s as much as we know about the origin story of Elsie’s fancy leg. You can see it on display, even in the very first picture of teeny baby Elsie.

Now, if you follow cat accounts on social media, you may notice that A LOT of cats are having birthdays. That’s because we’re in what is called “kitten season.” Shelters are overwhelmed. So, for Elsie’s birthday, we’d like to ask you to pick a rescue organization and donate, volunteer, foster, or buy something from their wish list.

• CARF – Critical Animal Relief Foundation: Based in Chicago and Elsie’s rescuers. They focus on animals in critical medical need.
• Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga: We fostered cats and kittens through them.
• North Georgia Animal Alliance: We also fostered through NGAA, including the kitten that Elsie named “Bug.”
• Or the rescue in your home town…

Tonight on Elsie’s Instagram, we’re going live for a little birthday party for her and you’re invited. Monday, August 3, 2026 at 6:30 pm PT/9:30 ET. She’ll show off her tricks, maybe talk, and I’ll answer as many questions as I can.

And now, as a party favor… here are downloadable pdfs of the Elsie stationary that I commissioned from Donovan Beeson.