Meet Meemers, the Rescue Cat with Short Spine Syndrome
For fans of Jimothy the raccoon, a new furry friend has emerged to capture attention. Meemers, a two-and-a-half-year-old rescue cat with short spine syndrome, has gone viral, drawing comparisons to Seattle's beloved raccoon Jimothy, who is also believed to have the condition. Based in Bloomington, Illinois, Meemers recently gained widespread attention through a video posted on Aug. 18 that, as reported by NBC10 Boston and NBC 5 Chicago, has drawn more than 45 million views as of Monday. TODAY's reporting puts the view count at more than 41 million as of Aug. 22.
Owner Katie Dahlen, who previously worked at the shelter where Meemers was found, told TODAY.com that she never expected the video to go viral so quickly. "I missed making videos, and I was like, 'Well, I have this awesome cat, and I want to share her with people,'" Dahlen said. "I just didn't realize how big she would blow up in a 24-hour span. It was crazy."
A Unique Cat with Special Needs
Meemers' distinctive appearance stems from short spine syndrome, a rare condition that gives her a barely-there neck and a compact body. From her shoulders to the base of her tail, she measures only about 7 1/2 inches long, according to Dahlen, who also noted a slight tail deformity. The condition affects her mobility; Dahlen explained that Meemers cannot climb or jump and overheats easily. To help, Dahlen brushes Meemers multiple times a day, as the cat struggles to groom her own back.
Despite these challenges, Dahlen describes Meemers as social and loving, and she can take her out on a leash. Meemers' name, Dahlen said, evolved from Mila to Mimi to Meemers, and she responds to that name.
A Rescue Story
Meemers' journey to Dahlen began under difficult circumstances. "She was actually left at the shelter in a box outside," Dahlen said of the shelter where she was working at the time. "Literally, from the day she came in, I was like, 'She needs to come home with me.'"
When Meemers arrived, she was not in the best shape. The fur around her butt was matted, and she had an abscess in the area, Dahlen explained. She received antibiotics and care before going home with Dahlen in July 2025. "The owner had tried to shave her, so you could tell they cared, but maybe they didn't have the resources," Dahlen said, suggesting the previous owner may have lacked the means to provide adequate care.
Online Reactions
In the video that propelled Meemers to internet fame, she simply sits down, showing off her black fluffy coat and what some might call her best Blue Steel pose. Fans have responded enthusiastically, with one commenting, "Sensational whiskers / body tea / no notes 🖤" Another fan called for a collaboration between Meemers, Jimothy, and Tilly, the famous pup who also has short spine syndrome.
A Message of Compassion
Dahlen hopes that Meemers' story will encourage others to consider adopting animals with special needs. "Give special needs cats a chance," she said. "They definitely do require a little adaptation at home, but they are so worth it."