Please find below a guest story from Kate and her cat Beau the blind cat:
So on the 10th October 2017 we became aware of Beau, he was with our local Cats Protection charity, he had come in as a stray it seemed he had been a stray all his life. We don’t know if the reason he had lost his sight as a result of being a stay or because of a congenital defect, but there was nothing that could be done to save his sight.
We started to follow Beaus story on their Facbook page, and once he had been to the vets and had his operation and was well enough they started to look for a home for him. On the 14 Novemeber they put a post up saying they were looking for a home for home, the thing is a lot of people wished him well, but there were very few people who actually came forward for him. We already had two cats, one of them from Cherwell Cats Protection who is Alfie who also has a condition called CH, where in simple terms he is unsteady on his feet (walks a bit like he is drunk). Both of ours are indoor cats, and for Beaus safety it would have been an indoor home he needed.
After talking it through, we did ask if they thought he would get on with our other two, and it was not certain if he would integrate, so we left our name with them saying we would be willing to give him a home.
On the 22 November, a video was posted up of Beau playing with toys and that he must have heard other cats playing in their pens and that maybe he was happy, its difficult to tell, he was shy and withdrawn. We enquired again and this time we said we would rehome him, it was his chance of being in a warm loving home. In the beginning of December, we brought Beau home, and there our story with Beau started.
He hid in his room well actually he hid under the bed in there only coming out for food and to use the litter tray, I’m sure he was happy, but we didn’t actually know. If he was not under the bed he would run under the bed when you went in his room and hiss at you as he went.
We researched how to keep him stimulated and found he really liked catnip (as most cats do!) we had catnip coming out of our ears! We then got CCTV installed in the room he was in and then we started to see a totally different cat, he was playing and then he would sit up in the window listening to the birds outside.
We started a Facebook page so people could see him, as we were always being asked about how he was doing. Some days it was hard, I kept on thinking had we made the right choice for Beau giving him our home and our love, he didn’t like human company, but if it hadn’t of been us, who would have rehomed him?
Fast forward to March 2019 we were moving to a much bigger house, this would mean all three of our boys would have more space, and once we had moved we put them in the biggest room in the house all together, this is where the transformation happened for us, we had seen small bits of progress, but in the last 4 months we have made massive progress. Beau comes to us, he wants the affection, he wants to be loved, he wants to be brushed and he wants to be with his brothers. Woody our eldest boy I think actually looks after him, he ushers him into a hiding corner if the hover comes out or he hears a noise he doesn’t like Woody will usher Beau into a corner and sit with him till the coast is clear.
Our boys are indoor cats, so stimulation is key to happiness, we have found that they love valerian filled toys the best, they go mad for them, dribbling all over the bed or the floor! You can put all their toys in one pile in the room, and when you go in a few hours later the toys have moved!
I can’t say that the last 18 months have been easy, we have worried continually about Beau’s mental health, but we love him, he makes you realise that no matter what disability an animal (or person) has, small changes can make all the difference and if you are happy to be a guardian of them, they will eventually show love and affection.
If you want to follow Beau’s progress please follow him at @BeauTheBlindCat on Facebook.
We regularly write about all things relating to cats on our Blog Katzenworld!
My partner and I are owned by five cheeky cats that get up to all kinds of mischief that of course, you'll also be able to find out more about on our Blog
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16 thoughts on “Guest Star: Beau the Blind Cat”
Livie livie says:
What a beautiful story. I’m so happy that Beau has someone who really loves him.
Like most all cats, Beau chose his humans well and it is wonderful to hear that he is doing so well. Everyone needs a chance at some point and felines are no different in that respect. The three in this house each gave this human a chance to measure up to their expectations. Since each were rescue, they had their own stories and nightmares. They continue to evolve and are so very dear to this mere human. I do hope olthers will be inspired by your story to give other differently abled felines a home and a chance.
I had slow progress with a stray neutered male, a short-haired white cat (with big feet) I named Snowflake. He was coming in the catflap for food, My Suzy and Emma seemed to tolerate him, he started spending some time on the spare bed, but he’d hiss if I approached and if he was downstairs and heard me coming down the stairs, he’d scoot. For a long time he was too scared to run past me if I was in the kitchen (next to the catflap).
Then he didn’t turn up for three days. I was worried. When he turned up, he was holding up one rear leg. But he wouldn’t let me near. He found a place to hide in the spare bedroom, he came out for food and he must have gone out to the toilet. But he hissed if I came near. Then after a few days, he started using the leg. It wasn’t broken or dislocated. I think that he had been able to find refuge in my house when he was vulnerable made the difference. He moved in. There were arguments with Suzy, but they get on OK now. He’s fascinated by her and whether she lets him close depends on her mood. I didn’t realise how bad his condition was, until I saw how much he improved with care. The thin cat filled out. The patchy, bristly fur became soft and thick. I well remember when I first dared touch him and he purred. Now he can’t get enough of tickles and strokes. Months into his arrival, he became confident enough to investigate cupboards if I opened the door; but he’s still scared of other humans.
When I first took him to the vets, he fought as I have never known a cat fight before to get out of the carrier. He tried to tear it to pieces. I think maybe someone put him in a box and chucked him out. But he was OK once with the vet, OK on the way back; and on the way back from his second visit, he sat happily in the carrier watching me drive. Someone had cared for him. Then someone else misused him. Now he’s home. Yes, Snowflake, I’m talking about you.
What a beautiful story. I’m so happy that Beau has someone who really loves him.
Like most all cats, Beau chose his humans well and it is wonderful to hear that he is doing so well. Everyone needs a chance at some point and felines are no different in that respect. The three in this house each gave this human a chance to measure up to their expectations. Since each were rescue, they had their own stories and nightmares. They continue to evolve and are so very dear to this mere human. I do hope olthers will be inspired by your story to give other differently abled felines a home and a chance.
Indeed! 🙂
He is one handsome little guy. In his own time…..such a wonderful story. He is most definitely, home.
🙂
lovely story
Thank you <3
Wonderful story. Beau is lucky to have found such a loving home.
Yes. This was such a heart warming story
@4catsGmbH Lindo??!!!
Hes an awesome cat….. great looking face.
Thanks 🙂
Beautiful boy <3
Thank you!
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I had slow progress with a stray neutered male, a short-haired white cat (with big feet) I named Snowflake. He was coming in the catflap for food, My Suzy and Emma seemed to tolerate him, he started spending some time on the spare bed, but he’d hiss if I approached and if he was downstairs and heard me coming down the stairs, he’d scoot. For a long time he was too scared to run past me if I was in the kitchen (next to the catflap).
Then he didn’t turn up for three days. I was worried. When he turned up, he was holding up one rear leg. But he wouldn’t let me near. He found a place to hide in the spare bedroom, he came out for food and he must have gone out to the toilet. But he hissed if I came near. Then after a few days, he started using the leg. It wasn’t broken or dislocated. I think that he had been able to find refuge in my house when he was vulnerable made the difference. He moved in. There were arguments with Suzy, but they get on OK now. He’s fascinated by her and whether she lets him close depends on her mood. I didn’t realise how bad his condition was, until I saw how much he improved with care. The thin cat filled out. The patchy, bristly fur became soft and thick. I well remember when I first dared touch him and he purred. Now he can’t get enough of tickles and strokes. Months into his arrival, he became confident enough to investigate cupboards if I opened the door; but he’s still scared of other humans.
When I first took him to the vets, he fought as I have never known a cat fight before to get out of the carrier. He tried to tear it to pieces. I think maybe someone put him in a box and chucked him out. But he was OK once with the vet, OK on the way back; and on the way back from his second visit, he sat happily in the carrier watching me drive. Someone had cared for him. Then someone else misused him. Now he’s home. Yes, Snowflake, I’m talking about you.