6 heartwarming ways that 3D printing has helped animals

The popularity of <a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing" target="_blank">3D printing</a> has exploded within the past couple of years, and one of the most revolutionary uses for it has been that of prosthetics. But <a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://inhabitat.com/man-given-second-chance-at-life-thanks-to-3d-printed-prosthetic-face/" target="_blank">humans</a> aren’t the only ones benefitting from it: 3D printing has been a game changer for animals too. Those who have lost limbs due to an accident, a congenital disorder, or an act of cruelty are now experiencing happiness and mobility thanks to some clever design work. Click through the images to meet Buttercup, the duck who got a new prosthetic foot; TurboRoo, the cute chihuahua who walks everywhere with a special wheel cart; and Beauty, the bald eagle who enjoys a 3D-printed beak after being shot in the face by a poacher.

<h3><a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://inhabitat.com/3d-printed-prosthetic-legs-allow-derby-the-dog-to-run-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank">A Prosthetic Foot For Buttercup the Duck</a></h3> Dr. Shannon McGee joined forces with caretaker Mike Garey and <a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://www.novacopy.com/" target="_blank">Novacopy</a> to make an accurate <a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://inhabitat.com/3d-printed-prosthetic-legs-allow-derby-the-dog-to-run-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank">3D printed new foot</a> for <a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="https://www.facebook.com/ButtercupTheDuck" target="_blank">Buttercup</a>. The duck, who was born with a backwards foot is now able to walk around like any other duck thanks to its prosthetic rubber foot.

<h3><a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://inhabitat.com/3d-printed-prosthetic-legs-allow-derby-the-dog-to-run-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank">Prosthetic Front Feet For Derby The Dog</a></h3> A team of 3D engineers and veterinarians created a pair of <a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://inhabitat.com/3d-printed-prosthetic-legs-allow-derby-the-dog-to-run-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank">3D-printed legs</a>, which allowed <a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRmoowIN8aY" target="_blank">Derby the dog </a>to run for the very first time in his life. Born with disfigured front legs, the lucky boy could finally ditch his old cart thanks to two custom-made foreleg prostheses.

<h3><a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://inhabitat.com/cuteness-alert-3d-printed-wheel-cart-gives-chihuahua-pup-a-new-leash-on-life/" target="_blank">A Wheel Cart For TurboRoo The Chihuahua</a></h3> Mark Deadrick of <a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://3dyn.com/wps/" target="_blank">3dyn</a> saw little Roo online and decided to use his 3D design skills for giving him a second chance at mobility. The tiny dog was born without front legs but thanks to the incredible <a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://inhabitat.com/cuteness-alert-3d-printed-wheel-cart-gives-chihuahua-pup-a-new-leash-on-life/" target="_blank">wheeled cart</a>, printed on a <a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://www.makerbot.com/" target="_blank">Makerbot</a> 3D printer he can move around just like any of his dog-friends at the park.

<h3><a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://inhabitat.com/aki-inomatas-crystalline-3d-printed-hermit-crab-shells-meld-nature-and-architecture/" target="_blank">City-Shaped Shelters For Hermit Crabs</a></h3> Japanese Artist <a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://www.aki-inomata.com/" target="_blank">Aki Inomata</a> mixes her love for architecture with 3D printing to create stunning <a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://inhabitat.com/aki-inomatas-crystalline-3d-printed-hermit-crab-shells-meld-nature-and-architecture/" target="_blank">shelters</a> for hermit crabs. The nomadic creatures often switch shells, so she designed a whole set of crystalline homes modeled after New York City, Paris, and Tokyo.

Biologist Jane Fink Cantwell, holds Beauty after surgery that gave Beauty an artificial beak to replace the one that was damaged by a gunshot wound. Beauty is once again able to feed herself, drink, and preen her feathers.

<h3><a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://inhabitat.com/makerbot-announces-winners-of-the-3d-printed-birdhouse-challenge/" target="_blank">3D Printed Human Cells For Replacing Animal Testing</a></h3> Our last story isn't about prosthetics, but is big news that will save the lives of millions of animals thanks to 3D printing. Bioengineering expert Alan Faulkner-Jones from <a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://www.hw.ac.uk/" target="_blank">Heriot Watt University</a> is working on a project where <a title="6 Ways 3D printing has helped animals " href="http://inhabitat.com/makerbot-announces-winners-of-the-3d-printed-birdhouse-challenge/" target="_blank">human stem cells</a> will be 3D-printed into micro-tissues, thus eliminating cruel and often inaccurate animal testing by 2018.