A Visually-Impaired Kitten Discovers the Joy of Life Through the Eyes of His Tiny Sister

(Siamese kittens S’more and Graham Cracker began an early friendship that will withstand the test of time.)   


Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.  (Jan. 31, 2024) – The love of an animal and its owner is a bond like no other but when two animals bond to one another, it is usually forged from remarkably unique circumstances.  Helen Woodward Animal Center is currently home to two Siamese kitten siblings who rely on one another in a very special way.  Untreated corneal ulcerations have left heavy scarring and clouding on the eyes of one male kitten who now leans on his tiny sister for confidence and friendship.  The bonded pair are available for adoption (as a twosome!) this week.

 

On December 19th, S’more and Graham Cracker arrived at Helen Woodward Animal Center via transport from a southern California rescue partner, just outside of Los Angeles. The kittens were only weeks old but S’more’s eyes had already withstood extreme damage from an untreated neonatal illness.  Unmanaged conjunctivitis and corneal ulcerations can be associated with feline herpesvirus 1 and the result was major scarring and loss of vision.  Upon arrival to the Center, however, S’more seemed oddly at peace, despite his cloudy vision in a world unfamiliar to him.  The answer to S’more’s comfort was sitting curled beside him – a tiny sister sibling, named Graham Cracker, who made the first move towards the hands of vet techs, assuring him that all was well.

 

“Their names definitely suit them,” said Helen Woodward Animal Health Supervisor Breanne Sneddon.  “They are sweet as can be and have definitely come through a lot together in their short lives.  Cats are normally terrified simply from being transported such a long distance, never mind having to do so with the limited vision S’more is dealing with.  You can tell the bond between them is one formed by love and need”

 

S’more and Graham Cracker will be adopted out as a bonded pair.  They will be available for adoption beginning Friday, February 2nd.  Potential adopters should plan on taking simple steps to make sure that S’more is secure in his new home, such as setting up a stationary area that he can quickly adapt to and making efforts not to move furniture or other household items into his regular pathways.  No other treatment for his eyes will be required. One thing is certain, S’more will be right there to show his new family how wonderful his sister really is.

 

To adopt S’more and Graham Cracker or for more information on Helen Woodward Animal Center, please go to https://animalcenter.org/, call 858-756-4117 or stop by at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe.

 

 

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About Helen Woodward Animal Center

Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world.  For more information, go to: https://animalcenter.org/

Due to Hurricane Hilary, all  departments will be closing at 3pm today.  Stay safe!