Ms. Oliver did not come to Blind Cat Rescue in the traditional way. She is not blind, FeLV positive, or FIV positive, and under normal circumstances, she would not meet our intake criteria. But sometimes there are circumstances when you simply cannot turn away. We received a phone call about a longtime supporter of Blind Cat Rescue who had been hospitalized for approximately four months. Sadly, her health had declined to the point that she would not be able to return home or continue caring for her beloved cats. Her only surviving family member, who is also battling cancer, was trying to find help from a distance. This was especially heartbreaking for us because we knew Ms. Oliver’s mom. She had supported Blind Cat Rescue for many years and had previously spoken with us about estate planning and what would happen to her cats if there ever came a day when she could no longer care for them. The plan had been for us to help find placement for them through another rescue. Unfortunately, life did not give anyone enough time to put those plans into place. One of her cats had already passed away during this time. Someone had been stopping by occasionally to check on her but that could no longer continue. Ms. Oliver was only about 20 minutes away from us, so when we were given permission to enter the home, we went to get her. When we found Ms. Oliver, it was clear she desperately needed help. She was severely infested with fleas and horribly anemic. Her ears and gums were nearly white. As a senior girl, she is also dealing with some heart concerns. But her physical condition is only part of what she has been through. Ms. Oliver has lost everything she knew. She lost her feline brother, she lost the person who had been her mom and her entire world, and after months with very little human interaction, she is understandably frightened and terribly depressed. We couldn't look at this little senior girl and tell her she didn't qualify. Her mom spent years helping provide for cats here at Blind Cat Rescue. When the time came that her own baby needed someone, we felt called to be there for her, too. We will work with our veterinarian to address her anemia, heart concerns, and any other medical needs we discover. More importantly, we will give her time to grieve, adjust, and hopefully learn that although her whole world has changed, she is not alone. Ms. Oliver may not be blind, FeLV+, or FIV+, but she needed a forever sanctuary and that is exactly what we are going to give her. For however much time this sweet senior girl has ahead of her, she will be surrounded by warm beds, good food, gentle hands, and people who will love her.

Ms. Oliver is a very chatty girl!