Blind cat’s feline helping hand at SPCA
A cat blinded by a crippling eye infection has found new sight in a close feline friend.
Born in January, Murdock came to Wellington SPCA with a terrible eye infection, which meant his eyes had to be removed through a special surgery at the Fever Hospital site.
But a new feline best friend is on the lookout for him, guiding him around with her scent and licking clean those hard-to-reach places.
Murdock and Mabel were from two different litters of young, vulnerable kittens found out on their own.
Wellington SPCA inspectors were able to catch the kittens and take them to the Newtown centre for treatment and further care.
They were fostered together by head vet nurse Heidi Olsen, and that’s where their inseparable bond began.
‘‘It was amazing to see Murdock’s progress from when he first came in with such badly infected eyes, to how happy and healthy he is now,’’ Olsen said.
When new owner Shar Davis first brought them home, she fast realised Mabel was literally serving as Murdock’s eyes.
‘‘Murdock had to learn how to climb the stairs, and I realised he was following her scent,’’she said.
‘‘If he gets himself stuck, he’ll just meow and she will come and free him.’’
Mabel also showed her blind pal important things like where the food and the litter box lived, and he’s now pretty good at getting around on his own, Davis said.
Davis has set up an Instagram page for the kittens, so they can break hearts on a regular basis.
CUPCAKE DAY
The SPCA’s annual Cupcake Day has come around again
It serves as the organisation’s largest fundraiser. Last year brought in $390,000 nationwide.
Money raised goes towards caring for the 60,000 animals that the SPCA sees each year.
The money raised in Wellington, by Wellingtonians, goes to the Wellington SPCA. Last year they got more than $50,000.
The Wellington centre will host a cupcake sale outside Farmers, in Lambton Quay, from 7am on August 15.
There are also sales organised in all major cities and towns in the Wellington region and many schools and businesses get involved.
Register for Cupcake Day at spcacupcakeday.co.nz.