Chester didn’t look like a cat.

Staggering through the neighborhood, he was a painful wound with eyes. His body was nearly furless, pebbled with scales that resembled rock formations. Every attempt to eat caused agony.

In a world full of strays, it was hard to imagine anyone would want such a desperate and disfigured boy.

But there is a sanctuary for cats like Chester. And by the power of love, the unrecognizable cat now sees himself as cherished.

When a neighbor brought Chester to Tabby’s Place, every voice fell silent, and tears filled the staff’s eyes. The scarred stray looked like a burn victim, and he curled up as tight as a raw shrimp, as though trying to escape his own skin.

How could he even be alive?

But candles of hope flickered in Chester’s tired eyes. He was not ready to give up. Flooded with love, we all agreed on the spot: we would cherish Chester as our very own and give him every chance.

The road ahead was as rough as Chester’s skin. In 22 years, our vet team has treated many rare conditions, but they had never seen a cat as ravaged as Chester. We called upon a world-class specialist, who diagnosed severe exfoliative dermatitis.

Survival was far from certain, and at any point Chester’s pain might become too severe to endure. His only hope was a protocol of pain medication, antibiotics, steroids, and delicate bathing of his most critical wounds. The staff would need to be tenacious and tender as they cared for him day by day.

Unaccustomed to kindness, and locked inside a body that had betrayed him, Chester burned with fear. But no matter how many times he lashed out, his Tabby’s Place family responded with good food, soft voices, and healing hands. He could not lose our love.

And over many months, Chester began to recover.

He began sitting like a cat, no longer scrunched in a spiral of pain. Meals filled him with bliss. And at last, he began to grow fur in even his most desolate spots.

Today, Chester doesn’t just look like a cat. He looks like a beloved cat.

Although his condition is lifelong, Chester can live to the fullest at Tabby’s Place. Golden light and birdsong fill his sunroom, and staff and volunteers lavish him with love on his own terms. From a full belly to a full team of specialists, Chester has everything he needs to flourish.

Given his advanced needs (exfoliative dermatitis as well as feline immunodeficiency virus, or FIV, and extreme shyness), Tabby’s Place may be Chester’s forever home. But this courageous cat has a history of miracles. And to the right adopter, Chester will look like family.

In the meantime, you can be Chester’s family.

If our brave boy is beautiful to you, please help us to keep him healthy. Your monthly sponsorship will provide pain medication, steroids, and antibiotics, as well as visits to the dermatologist as needed. Most importantly, you’ll give Chester the cozy comfort of unconditional love.

Editor’s note: The images of Chester’s early days of recovery may be disturbing, but you can click here to see them, and read about his full journey.