Sanctuary Saves Blind Cats From Euthanasia And Gives Them New Home
We believe that every cat, regardless of its condition, deserves a shot at life. Sadly, that's not always what happens.
Most of the time, cats with disabilities that end up in shelters remain there for months on end, waiting day after day for someone to give them a chance and make an effort on their behalf.
More harrowing is the fact that if the shelter allows euthanasia, these kitties usually end up on that list. We understand why some people might hesitate to take these cats in.
First, there are the veterinary bills to consider. Caring for cats with disabilities isn't going to be cheap.
You must be consistent with their vet checkups, and you also need to have the means to provide them with ongoing medication or special care tailored to their needs.
In addition to that, there's also the matter of caring for the cat itself. Adjusting to a cat with disabilities and helping it adjust to you is not going to be easy.
It will require a lot of patience and skill.
Fortunately, there are some places and people who make a double effort for these kinds of cats.
One such place is the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary in St. Pauls, NC. They take in blind cats and save them from euthanasia.
Read their story below:
They Found That Blind Cats Are Just Like Any Normal Cat
While Alana Miller and her daughter were volunteering at a local shelter, they met a cat named Louie. They were amazed to see that the feline could climb, run, and play like any other "normal" cat.
Soon, they found themselves taking in one blind kitty after another.
Miller Started the Foundation
Before long, their passion transformed into an organization. In 2005, Miller officially launched the 501(c)(3) non-profit rescue and sanctuary.
All the cats they have rescued were either saved from shelters where they faced euthanasia or taken in from owners who lacked the means to care for them.
Blind Cats See the World in a Different Way
Blind cats have adapted to their blindness in unique ways. Most of them compensate for the loss of sight by curling their whiskers forward, which helps them sense upcoming objects, similar to how humans use canes.
Their hearing also adjusts and sharpens, allowing them to rely on auditory cues to navigate their environment.
They Just Know They're Cats
Miller recalls watching one of her blind cats, Magoo, leap four feet into the air to catch a moth. Apparently, the cat could hear its tiny wings moving and simply made a leap for it.
They don't know they're blind. They just know they're cats.
What Causes Cat Blindness?
Many factors can cause a cat to go blind. It can be hereditary, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy—which affects older cats—or cataracts.
Some kittens can also lose their sight due to untreated viral infections.
Because of their "special needs" status, their likelihood of finding homes decreases, which is why they often end up on the euthanasia list.
A Second Home
In 2011, Miller and her team added a second building to accommodate another group of endangered special needs cats. These cats include those with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and/or Feline Leukemia Virus (FelV).
Both diseases can transfer to other cats, so shelters often place these cats at the top of euthanasia lists rather than risk infecting others. At Blind Cat Rescue, they offer them refuge and care for as long as they remain healthy.
What they want for these felines is to provide them with a high quality of life.
They Have Found a Forever Home
Despite their differences, these cats have now found a wonderful forever home where they are cherished for who they are at Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary.
Hopefully, more people will be willing to give animals with conditions like these cats a second chance. Despite their illnesses, these cats have found ways to enjoy their lives, and all they need is a chance from the people around them.
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