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A kitten born with his legs back to front has been given a new lease of life after pioneering surgery.

Corky was found by little boy dragging himself along a pavement in Fargo, North Dakota, and was brought into a shelter, where he was due to be put down.

But Gail Ventzke and Carol Stefonek, co-founders and directors of CATS Cradle Shelter, heard about the brave moggy and were intent on saving his life.

(Image: Gary Lura / Barcroft)

(Image: Gary Lura / Barcroft)

The seven-month-old kitten suffers from a congential deformity known as ‘Bilateral Arthrogryposis', which causes his legs to be the wrong way round.

His limbs are also crisscrossed like a corkscrew, leading staff at the shelter to name him Corky.

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The courageous kitty learned to drag himself around on his two front paws at the CATS Cradle shelter, until Gail and Carol asked for the help of a local vet.

Dr. Dan Burchill of Castleton Veterinary Services invented a surgery to bring Corky's back legs the right way round.

(Image: Gary Lura / Barcroft)

(Image: Gary Lura / Barcroft)

(Image: Gary Lura / Barcroft)

Corky is still in bandages but is already using his legs like a normal cat, thanks to intensive physical therapy sessions.

The brave moggy now has his own Facebook page in his honour where he has nearly 6,000 fans.

Staff at the shelter have been keeping followers up to date with Corky’s progress, including his new found ability to use his litter tray!