Not many people take in elderly, let alone special needs, cats. Helen, a 10-year-old tabby cat, is both! Helen, along with being elderly, is blind and also toothless. When it comes to adoption, usually “blind, elderly, and toothless” can pose a problem and limits the chances of cats like Helen to be adopted. When Helen arrived at Española Humane, the staff knew she would be special.
The thing about this case was the shelter didn’t know Helen’s new owner would be just as special as she was. Because it take a special soul to open their heart to a needy animal.
Eric Duwe saw a video of Helen, along with his 8-year-old son Jack, shared by his friend. The video was of Helen purring away on Española Humane’s Facebook page.
Checking out their page, Eric made a comment on the post stating:
“I’m in the Denver Area. If she isn’t snatched up by someone local, I’ll make the drive to adopt. (I bet she gets snatched up by someone local)”
Española Humane Comments Back on Elderly, Blind Helen
Española Humane commented back, “Erik Duwe not a single application yet 
If you’d like to make the trip, submit an app here…”
“It really caught our attention. We are cat lovers, and when Jack saw the video, he immediately melted. I said that Helen, being both blind and toothless, really needed someone to take special care of her, and Jack said he really wanted to adopt her,” Duwe said. “But Jack said that he saw how friendly and snuggly she was, and wanted her to join our family. We had three cats at home already, including two seniors … and now we planned to welcome another.”
The problem was, the long trip had the obstacles of three young children and a planned Army Reserve training. However, Eric made the trek from Colorado to New Mexico just fine! His only obstacle? The children kept calling to see if Eric had Helen yet.
After adjusting to her new home, Helen is purrrrfectly happy. She enjoys spending time with the kids and doesn’t let her blindness get her down, in fact, she’s quite adventerous! The children are very excited to have a special needs kitty at home.
“She is doing very well. She really loves getting scritches and pats, and her purr box is powerful,” Duwe said.
With kitten season fast approaching, Eric would also like to remind people that special needs and elderly animals need love and second chances too.
Welcome to your beautiful new home, Helen!
