The eye-opening experience of fostering blind cats

A reflection on Greek cats Tigger and Lykke who were each happily adopted in January 2019. Tigger is better known these days as Dmitri aka @blind_cat_dmitri.

I wasn’t sure what I expected when agreeing to look after two blind cats but I think my surprise at certain things highlights the myths I unconsciously believed. 

Myth number 1: they would be traumatised by the move of location more than full-sighted cats...

Reality: they have settled in really quickly (in comparison some of my full-sighted fosterers hid for a few nights)

Myth number 2: they wouldn’t be able to navigate the new environment quickly or climb very well...

Reality: There was no need for me to consider removing the cat tree, they have found it and explored its levels. Getting on the bed doesn’t seem to faze them either!

Myth number 3: they wouldn’t play with toys in the same way...

Reality: I’m not going to bother with the laser pen of course but they really like the dangly toy with the bell on it (as a comparison this is the toy my full-sighted adopted cat rejected as being too scary)

Myth number 4: they would take a while to get used to me and my husband...

Reality: I was accepted very quickly, they sought me out for strokes easily. 

Myth number 5: it would be easy to leave the foster room (logistically speaking)

Reality: the door creaks and there is no way to sneak out. They seem to have less fear of getting caught in the door that I am trying to close with one hand whilst gently trying to move them back in the room with the other- they are curious and want to come with!

These two cats have shown me just how adaptable our feline friends can be. They have a lot of love to give, we just need to give them the right forever home.