A cat who has seizures spent 2 years at an animal shelter because nobody wanted to deal with her condition. Now she's been adopted by someone with epilepsy.

• A 9-year-old cat who has seizures spent two years at an animal shelter in New York.
• The shelter said initially nobody wanted to adopt the cat because of her condition.

A cat who has seizures was adopted from a shelter after two years by a person who has epilepsy.

The 9-year-old black cat, Tapenade, spent 814 days at Dutchess County SPCA, a no-kill animal shelter in Dutchess County, New York, a spokesperson for the shelter told Insider.

Tapenade — formerly known as Annie —has Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS), a neurological disorder that causes small focal seizures. The seizures caused Tapenade to chase and bite her tail when she first arrived at the shelter, but at the time her condition was unknown, according to a press release.

Although FHS was initially suspected, the shelter's veterinary team had to conduct several tests to confirm the diagnosis, a spokesperson previously told Insider.

Medication eventually improved Tapenade's condition, the spokesperson said. But despite this, she was left without a permanent home for two years because potential adopters would "balk" at her condition, they added.

Tapenade was recently adopted by someone who understands her condition more than most

Renee, who uses they/them pronouns, told Insider they made the one hour and 30 minute car journey to the shelter from Albany, New York, to adopt Tapenade in September after learning about her story in a news article.

Renee said they have three other cats and were already planning to adopt another pet when they read Tapenade's story. After learning about her situation, Renee realized they could relate with the 9-year-old cat's medical struggles.

"I've been an epileptic since I was very, very young due to a condition called Sturge-Weber Syndrome," Renee said.

"Through a lot of trial and error with medications and surgeries, I've managed to be more or less stable, bar the occasional focal seizure. It's been a struggle, and it's a struggle I know Tapenade has had to face as well," they said.

Sturge-Weber Syndrome is a rare, neurological disorder that causes seizures from a young age that may worsen over time, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Those who have the disorder often have a port-wine-stain birthmark on their forehead and upper eyelid caused by too many small blood vessels in the area, according to the organization. Other symptoms include muscle weakness, cognitive impairment, migraines, and glaucoma, the organization states.

"Seeing that people were afraid to show such a sweet cat love and compassion due to something she can't control was heartbreaking," Renee said of Tapenade.

Renee said Tapenade is settling in to her new home and that they have already formed a close bond.

"Tapenade is a very sweet girl, very curious too! She loves to sit at the window and watch the birds, or play with plushies!" Renee said.

"Every time you enter the room she chirps in excitement! I'm hoping we can have plenty of happy years in the future — and I want people to know that they shouldn't be afraid to adopt a special needs or older kitty," they added.