Written by: Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary and Adoption Centers in collaboration with JessiCAT

Fred and Shaggy are a positively delightful pair of bonded brothers. The boys have overcome tremendous difficulties in their short 15 months of life.

They are overdue for a home of their own; the purrfect place where they can settle in and stay for good.

Playful, goofy, charming and affectionate, they are going to light up the home of their family and fill it with love and joy.

Photo Courtesy of Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers ~ Fred and Shaggy

The boys and their sister, Daphne, were found behind a dumpster in Eastern Washington, when they were about five weeks ago.

The kittens were malnourished, dehydrated and covered in fleas.

They required syringe feeding and intensive care for the first few weeks.

All three kittens were born with eyelid agenisis.

This is a congenital disorder in which the eyelid doesn’t form properly during development.

Photo Courtesy of Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers ~ (L to R) Shaggy, Fred & Daphne

At 3 months old, they traveled over the mountains to Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary and Adoption Centers for specialized surgery and continued care.

Requiring one less surgery than her brothers, Daphne has already been adopted. 

Photo Courtesy of Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers ~ Daphne on adoption day! 

But now, Shaggy and Fred are stuck in limbo.

They are too old for most people to consider them kittens, and too young for the folks who want to help out an older, less adoptable cat.

Because they are a bonded pair, they also must be adopted together.

Photo Courtesy of Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers

Fred is a fluffy, pewter and white colored boy with gigantic ears.

He has the tiniest little mew for a voice you’ve ever (almost) heard!

Fred is the real “people person” of the duo, asking for lap and shoulder time and lots of cuddles.

As a kitten, he was prone to throwing himself into the arms of his foster family and demanding hugs.

Photo Courtesy of Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers ~ Fred

He was also known for climbing the curtains, the Christmas tree, the couch and counter surfing in his foster home.

Nowadays he’s a little older, wiser and more settled.

He still loves climbing to the high points and looking down at the world, appreciating a good cat tree.

Photo Courtesy of Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers ~ Fred

Shaggy is a sleek, shiny silver-gray boy with a voice only slightly bigger than Fred’s.

Shaggy is the more independent, laid-back of the brothers.

He loves to hang out on cat trees or window perches and nap when he’s not playing with his brother, but will still seek out a warm lap for cuddles.

Photo: Reed Richards; Organization Fosterer ~ Shaggy

He’s a fan of breakfast, dinner, snacks and well, food in general.

Together, the brothers are a climbing, romping, playing whirlwind of sibling love and affection that can entertain you for hours.

https://www.facebook.com/richard.reed.505/videos/vb.1094240651/10212380702768032/?type=2&theater

While rare, eyelid agenisis is the most common congenital eyelid disorder found in cats.

With agenisis, there is no eyelid margin with protective eyelashes.

This means the fur on the skin around the eye can rub against the delicate cornea and cause ulceration, pain and blindness.

Photo Courtesy of Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers

Without a full eyelid, the eye is left exposed to debris from the environment and rubbing.

Tears will not be able to properly spread across the eyeball to help “rinse” them clean.

Photo: Reed Richards; Organization Fosterer

Sadly, if not treated, Scooby, Fred and Daphne would have lived in constant pain.

It’s highly likely that they’d have developed corneal ulcers, eye infections, an inability to blink and, ultimately, blindness.

Photo Courtesy of Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers

Fred and Shaggy had several surgeries to create a margin around their eyes and remove the irritating fur.

On Tuesday, January 30th, they both had cryogenic procedures to “freeze” the lids where their lashes grow.

Photo Courtesy of Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers

This will stop hair growth and the resulting irritation to their cornea that causes painful infections.

Happily, it should also decrease the risk of future vision lost due to chronic infection/ulceration.

Photo Courtesy of Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers

They will need eye drops (an over-the-counter lubricant) twice a day for the rest of their lives.

The great news is that these can be bought in bulk AND the boys are already well used to them!

Photo Courtesy of Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers ~ Shaggy

They do also have some congenital retinal issues and limited vision.

None of this prevents them from getting anywhere they want to go though!

Photo Courtesy of Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers

Fred and Shaggy are 15 months old now and have spent their entire lives, including their first birthday, in foster homes and shelters.

They have been in multiple foster homes, where they have stolen the hearts of their foster families, none of whom could keep them.

Photo: Reed Richards; Organization Fosterer ~ Shaggy letting it all hang out with other adoptable kittens

They’ve lived with cat-friendly dogs in foster care and shared space comfortably with numerous other cats in our adoption room.

With their vision issues, these boys would appreciate a slower paced home without a lot of surprises.

Photo Courtesy of Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers

They absolutely will need to be keep safely indoors for own protection.

We are surprised these awesome cats are still waiting for their homes.

They are incredibly well-mannered, friendly, funny, and well-adjusted, and we can’t believe nobody has taken them home!

Photo: Reed Richards; Organization Fosterer ~ Shaggy teaching new kittens how to pose for adorable photos

As another holiday season gets underway, we can’t think of a better gift for these guys than a family and home of their own.

Somewhere where they can enjoy the freedom of life without cages. 

To experience the joy of snuggling in bed with their very own people at night and years of happiness together.

Photo Courtesy of Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers

If you’re looking for love wrapped up in soft, purring, silver fur, these are your guys.

They must be adopted in person, but you can email connect@purrfectpals.org with any questions. 

As a bonus, a follower of the organization’s Facebook page has stated they’d be interested in covering the adoption fees for a deserving family that welcomes the boys!

Photo Courtesy of Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary & Adoption Centers ~ Shaggy then and now

If you can’t adopt, please help them find their home by sharing their story with friends, acquaintances and family, anyone who will help spread the work.

Let’s get these boys home for the holidays!

REMEMBER: ADOPT, DON’T SHOP; FOSTERING SAVES LIVES & SPAY AND NEUTER!