Blind kitty gets his first toy

By: Bailey Johnson
Topics: Animal Antics

(CBS) - Meet Oskar. Oskar was born completely blind, his eyeballs never formed. But his loving owners haven't let that stop them from providing Oskar with a good life. He's also become a bit of a celebrity cat, with a thriving YouTube channel and thousands of admirers. It's easy to see why. Watch this adorable feline get his first toy, and just try not to smile.

As his owners explain in the YouTube description:

I took this video the day after we adopted him. Since he is completely blind (born without formed eyeballs) we gave him some balls with bells inside. As you can tell, he can "see" them by using his ears! He is such a happy and inspiring cat -- we are blessed to have him with us.

Here's another video of Oskar playing. This time he's got a hold of a hairdryer.

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by buildfences November 25, 2011 9:22 AM EST: I had a cat that went blind, we gave her noisy paper wound up into a ball, and balls like the ones in the video.

Also placed a lid of a box in the kitchen, and showed here where all her toys were, she started carrying around our rings, key rings, anything she found and put them in her toybox.

When we re-arranged the furniture, I took her front feet and held them up to the furniture, so she knew where it was now. She never ran into the furniture, and she started touching the furniture by herself to locate what was where.

Bless these people for adopting her, they won't regret it!; Reply to this comment


by liberalsdontthink November 25, 2011 9:16 AM EST: If you are interested in helping other blind cats live a good life go to blindcatrescue.com . This is a rescue in St Paul NC specifically for blind cats.; Reply to this comment


by andie52 November 24, 2011 8:30 AM EST: What a wonderful story!!; Reply to this comment


by Transatlantique November 23, 2011 11:51 PM EST: Bless his little heart. Its so good that he found a great home. They are all so special.; Reply to this comment


by kathrynlynch November 23, 2011 4:42 PM EST: I have a guinea pig who was born without eyes. She lives with sighted guinea pigs, has no trouble finding food and water, and she has had babies.

Her name is Sniffy because her nose does some of the work her eyes should. I wouldn't part with her for anything.; Reply to this comment


by barbaram99 November 23, 2011 1:48 PM EST: I had to watch the visual of blind kitty Oskar..I think he is cute. We used to use ball with bells in them at blind camp years ago so we know where the balls are..So he would use his paws more to see his world..Learn the sounds needed in daily living..I have never met a totally blind cat or dog. It seems he has a sighted older brother cat to help him. He must be a trip for his sighted owners..Hats off to ye both..
I have talking clock on my computer as my roommqte does not like talking things as most seeing people don't. I can understand Oskar's world.; Reply to this comment


by RealiteBites November 23, 2011 5:50 AM EST: (cries, cries)

(tears of happiness ... sweet little kitty! <3 ); Reply to this comment


by Squeegee2000 November 22, 2011 10:40 PM EST: We also adopeted a special needs cat. He had no teeth, was declawed, neutered and was a manx with salmonella. "Curry" needed to go to a home with no children. When we had our son- they were best friends like peanut butter and jelly. Oskar's one lucky kitty, it's really nice to know that he will be loved!!!!; Reply to this comment


by Hosheen November 22, 2011 3:33 PM EST: Good on you people. If there is anything that accumulates good Karma, this is it. We have two Yorkies. The older one has gone completely blind from cataracts, so I understand how sad this is to see in an animal that cannot understand what has happened to them.

Good on ya. mates.; Reply to this comment


by Jaylah54 November 22, 2011 1:46 PM EST: I volunteer about 10 hours per week at our local animal shelter, and I was surprised to learn that it's the "hard luck cases" that seemed to get adopted soonest.

I fostered a stray that had come into the shelter with such a badly broken femur that one of her hind legs had to be amputated. She stayed with me until she was fully recovered from her surgery. When I expressed concern about how long she'd have to remain at the shelter before finding a permanent home, the shelter staff told me it was the "hard luck cases" that tended to get adopted soonest. They were right. Charlotte spent a whopping 36 hours back at the shelter before going to a permanent home.

But, that said, really all animals at shelters are "hard luck cases."

Unless you actually intend to professionally show dogs or cats (so actually require pure-breds), PLEASE get your pets from animal shelters. And then spay or neuter them (if they haven't been already) as soon as they become old enough (and before they reproduce).

As I write this, my adorable long-haired, 10-year old, tortie cat, Chloe, is walking around my desk. She'd been at the shelter since April. She's just as loveable and playful as a 10-week old kitten. And deserved a loving home just as much as any kitten. Even one with a missing hind leg.; Reply to this comment

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