A visually impaired kitten found wandering a parking lot now spends her days birdwatching with her best friend.
Ellie, the little tabby, was wandering alone in a parking lot in Brooklyn, her head tilted to the side. She had badly-impaired vision but was trying to navigate a dangerous world. If left on her own, she probably wouldn’t have made it much longer, but fortunately, concerned neighbors came together to help her.
The neighbors teamed up with rescuers, including Greenpoint Cats. Area rescuers frequently join forces with each other to help many thousands of kitties trying to survive in New York City. In this case, Greenpoint Cats teamed up with rescuers from City Critters.
The concerned neighbors who spotted Ellie helped get her indoors, where her days of struggle would be over for good. She would also meet a new friend, Jay, and enjoy something maybe a little surprising as a visually impaired kitten: birdwatching.
Ellie sits with Jay in the window birdwatching. Images, media via Instagram/greenpoint_cats
Saving Ellie
Greenpoint Cats shared the first videos of Ellie. It’s scary to think about how vulnerable she was out there on her own. But thankfully, kind people rallied to help her. The rescuers knew that her severe head tilt was a sign that she might have a serious infection. So, if you see a kitty tilting their head, it’s best if the cat can get veterinary care ASAP.
Ellie Was Born a Little Different
In part two, we see the happiest of outcomes for Ellie. She’s loving life in foster care after going to see several specialists concerning her head tilt and impaired vision.
Sometimes, a head tilt clears up following treatment. For instance, a cat may have an inner ear infection that responds to medication. But in Ellie’s case, the specialists determined her condition was likely congenital. She was born different, but she’s an affectionate, playful, happy cat like any other.
In foster care, she met a new companion, a tabby named Jay. The two kittens became best buddies and love spending their time cuddling, playing, and…birdwatching, which we’ll look at next.
Ellie Loves Birdwatching with Jay
When Ellie was 10 months old, she and Jay were ready to find their forever home together. They were thriving in their foster home, and Ellie enjoyed birdwatching from the window. As a mostly blind cat, she still enjoys Cat TV at the window.
Jay and Ellie birdwatching in Brooklyn-area foster home.
The rescuers think the sensitive kitty can see movement and shadows. Perhaps, her senses have been enhanced like a super kitty, and we’re sure she enjoys sunbathing, as any cat. Purrhaps, her hobby should be more accurately be called bird-sensing?
Ellie climbs to the windowsill for her daily birdwatching.
Meanwhile, they say Jay’s superpower is turning frowns upside-down.
“She is chatty and nimble, affectionate and wise. Jay (6 months) is a goofy and intuitive little guy who can sense a bad mood and knows how to turn your frown upside down. They are truly special 🥰”
We saw a video of Ellie with Jay at an adoption event, and we hope they have since found their home together. Those in New York City can learn more about adopting a duo like this at Greenpoint Cats on Instagram and Facebook. There are also many ways to help, like fostering, volunteering, donating, and sharing this story.
