Keller’s Kats is a non-profit, no-kill animal rescue organization operating in the greater Rochester area through a series of foster homes that take in unwanted cats. They rescue high risk cats, such as those with disabilities and deformities, in kill shelters and take in cats from various sources. Currently Keller’s Kats has two kittens with limited mobility, Trey and Delilah. Both cats are incapable of independent use of their rear legs for movement.

The goal of this project is to create two mobility assistance devices for each cat. Each cart must take into account the kittens’ current and future growth, be tailored to the specific paralysis of each cat and enhance the quality of living for these cats. The device must be light weight, wearable for extended periods of time and fall within a budget of $250 for each cart. The goal of this device is to enhance the mobility of the cats by allowing them to travel up and down stairs, as well as function in outdoor terrain.

Project Name

Cat Cart

Project Number

P17062

Project Family

Assistive device (nonhuman)

Start Term

2161

End Term

2165

Faculty Guide

Edward Hanzlik, echeee@rit.edu

Primary Customer

Karla Weller-Barkley, kellerskats@gmail.com

Sponsor (financial support)

Multidisciplinary Senior Design

Planning & Execution

Project Photos and Videos

Imagine RIT

Problem Definition

Systems Design

Preliminary Detailed Design

Detailed Design

Build & Test Prep

Subsystem Build & Test

Integrated System Build & Test

Integrated System Build & Test with Customer Demo

Customer Handoff & Final Project Documentation