Irwyn, our foster member of @theblackandwhitecatcrew was born on the bustling streets of Newark, New Jersey. Unfortunately, like many shelter cats from Newark, Irwyn’s start to life was far from a fairy tale. Irwyn was discovered near one of the cities many cat colonies, lethargic and severely underweight. The world had seen fit to bring him into this life irrevocably blind in both eyes.
Through the indomitable spirit of cats and the power of human compassion at AHS Newark, Irwyn was given a second chance at life.
Irwyn’s Personality
Irwyn is still a bit on the shy side. The little Void doesn’t particularly relish nail-clipping sessions or vet visits at all! He does, however, have an unquenchable love for all human food! You can find him usually trying to coopt his foster friends into play time – when he isn’t sleeping. At night, you can find him snuggling up at the foot of your bed.
Like most cats, Irwyn appreciates pets on his own terms. However, he has no issue vocalizing his need for your attention and affection. You will know when he’s happy because the biscuit factory will be in full operation.
Irwyn’s Disability
There are a few side effects of his blindness. If you adopt Irwyn, you will notice that he will run full steam into walls quite often as he learns to navigate his new surroundings. Even a few months later, he still does bump into walls occasionally. However, his feline parkour skills have vastly improved from trembling under the bed to leaps of faith off our floor to ceiling cat towers – usually chasing his best friend Felix around our house. Also, if you have another playful cat, you may occasionally hear theatrical screams coming from Irwyn. From our cameras, we’ve learned that if another cat sneaks up on him, he is the biggest scaredy cat when startled.
Irwyn is also a cautious soul and is very reserved with strangers. They may never see him at all! Over these past few months we’ve learned that he truly thrives in a quiet environment where friendly feline companions of his age share his love for play.
If you are interested in adopting Irwyn, please reach out to us!
How to Help a Blind Cat Adjust to Their New Home
Before you adopt any animal with a disability, please consider that a higher level of commitment is required. Adjusting a blind cat to their new home requires a little extra love and care. Here are some tips to ensure their transition is as smooth as possible:
- Provide a Safe and Consistent Environment: Try to keep the layout of your home as consistent as possible, avoiding frequent rearrangements of furniture, as this can confuse your blind cat.
- Food and Water Placement: Place their food and water bowls in the same spot every day to help them navigate their feeding area.
- Keep Those Nails Trimmed: Invest in a scratching post or pad to help them keep their claws in check, as they won’t have the benefit of sight for precise scratching.
- Patience is Key: Understand that it may take some time for your furry friend to adapt to their new surroundings. Be patient, offer reassurance, and give them space when they need it.
- Introduce Other Pets Gradually: If you have other pets, introduce them to your new family member slowly and carefully, ensuring everyone’s comfort and safety.
- Shower Love and Affection: Blind cats are just as loving and affectionate as their sighted counterparts. Offer them plenty of love and affection, and you’ll receive it in return.
- Maintain a Secured Environment: An escaped blind cat is hard to recover, and their outside survival rate is extremely low. It is important that windows and doors are always secured. While many cats do enjoy outside activities, blind cats should not partake in the outside activities, even with a properly fitted harness.
Why Adopt a Blind Cat?
Adopting a blind cat, like Irwyn, is a remarkable experience. These resilient felines possess boundless love, intelligence, and adaptability. With your support, they can thrive and navigate their world with unparalleled grace and poise.
