The story began in August after Sioux City Animal Rescue and Adoption found two cats believed to be mother and son in Sioux City, Iowa.
Cats had a very special and unbreakable bond: the youngest cat had no eyes and his mother served as his “seeing eye” cat.
“These cats are probably the most bonded cats I’ve ever seen,” Chris Wall, vice president of the shelter, told KCAU.
Wall described the cats as “fabulously friendly,” and hoped someone would be willing to take them in as a family after the cats were put up for adoption.
They named the one-year-old blind cat Keller and his mom “Anne Sullivan” (the name of the instructor Helen Keller). However, it later turned out that the mother cat also had health problems.
According to KCAU, she had to have her teeth removed, and they found a large tumor in her sinus cavity.
Given the older cat’s poor health and the younger cat’s dependence on her, the shelter decided it would be best to add a third companion to the mix.
The mom was reluctant to accept another cat because she was so protective of her son.
But when they introduced Trixie, a 9-week-old kitten with a “ton of personality,” she warmed up and took the kitten under her wing.
“We put him in with them and they love each other,” said shelter director Cindy Rarrat.
“I’ve been here 37 years and I’ve never experienced a situation like this.”
The three cats are now inseparable and Trixie is now part of the family.
Most importantly, the kitten now seems to understand that Keller can’t see and has quickly learned to be his second seeing-eye companion.
It’s so great to see this new family form such a close bond, and it’s great to know that Keller will have another cat to guide him if anything happens to his mother.
However, it also raises a new difficulty: finding someone willing to adopt three cats at once.
It can already be difficult just to find a home for two bonded animals, especially when one of them has special needs. But, the people at Sioux City Animal Rescue are hopeful that someone out there will be willing to take in this inseparable trio.
“We have to find somebody that will accept three cats, and let alone two cats and let alone one cat,” Rarrat told KCAU. “So we’ve been looking for that special home, that special someone that would give these guys a chance.”
What a sweet family. We hope that these three beautiful, bonded cats can find a home together soon.
If you are interested in giving a home to these three cats, you can contact Sioux City Animal Adoption & Rescue Center.