The lady in Casula, a suburb of Sydney, Australia, discovered a group of kittens in her backyard who were malnourished. She took it upon herself to provide food and care for them, but knew they needed a more permanent solution. The most concerning issue was that the kittens’ eyes were still shut, despite appearing to be around 3 weeks old like most kittens would have their eyes open by then.
Inner City Strays came to the rescue when a woman brought in two blind kittens to a local vet. After learning of their condition, the woman knew she couldn’t afford to care for them and reached out to various rescue groups for help. Inner City Strays, a group dedicated to rescuing street cats, was the only one willing to step in and provide assistance.
Inner City Strays faced a challenging situation when they were contacted about two blind kittens. Despite being at maximum capacity and having limited funds, Diana Dammery, a foster carer and cofounder of the organization, felt compelled to assist after seeing a photo of the kittens. “We were determined to take in the twins without hesitation,” Dammery expressed. “No matter the cost, we couldn’t ignore their needs.”
Urban Feline Wanderers
The two kittens, known as Stevie and Isaac, were discovered to have genetic eye abnormalities.
Rescue Cat Initiative
Stevie lost his sight and needed to have both eyes removed to prevent infection. Meanwhile, Isaac, who could still see out of one eye, had trouble with his eyelids causing discomfort as his eyelashes constantly rubbed against his eyes.
“We are grateful for the support of ophthalmologist Dr. Mark Bilson at SASH in North Ryde, who is helping Isaac undergo a two-step specialist surgery to create functioning eyelids,” Dammery explains. “Dr. Bilson has been incredibly supportive, providing us with charity discounts for the procedures.”
Urban Stray Duo
While Stevie and Isaac are on the mend from their eye procedures, they offer each other support during any challenges they face. Dammery notes, “Stevie truly depends on Isaac. Whenever he feels lost or confused, he calls out and Isaac is there in a heartbeat. He only feels at ease when Isaac is by his side. Their bond is unbreakable, making them the ultimate companions.”
The Cat Rescue Initiative
Save the Feline Initiative
The little felines enjoy a game of “chase,” sneaking up on each other and tussling. They also have a blast running through their kitty tunnel and rolling around inside.
“They are in great shape and full of energy, playful kittens doing all the typical kitten activities,” mentions Dammery, “playing, chasing toys, wrestling with each other, and getting into mischief. It’s hard to believe they are visually impaired. When people meet them, they are sure Stevie can see!”
These brothers also definitely enjoy some cuddle time.
Urban Stray Cats
After Stevie successfully recovered from his eye surgery, Isaac is scheduled for another procedure in August to improve his eyelids’ functionality. Once Isaac has recuperated, this lovable pair will be available for adoption.
“They are in need of a caring family that can cater to their specific requirements,” remarks Dammery. “The home environment should be safe and nurturing, with an understanding of their quirks. They are not fond of dogs and will hiss when they detect one nearby. They would be fine with older, respectful children. Sudden touches or loud noises startle them, so a calm and gentle approach is best. While they may warm up to other cats, they are content being the only felines in the household.”
Project to Save Stray Cats
Inner City Strays is a team of caring individuals devoted to rescuing stray and abandoned cats, striving to have a positive impact on the lives of these street cats. You can show your support for their efforts by contributing to their cause.
Project Kitty Rescue
Cat Rescue Initiative