Premiere Issue, February/March 2008

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Mocha & Marmalade

With a little extra TLC, special needs cats make wonderful companions

by Kelly Burch, NBCR Webmaster and Newsletter Editor

Although NBCR has been rescuing cats primarily from Garland Animal Services, we occasionally get rescue pleas from volunteers and other groups that touch our hearts. This happened not too long ago and once the volunteer met these two kitties, she couldn't walk away.

Meet Mocha (pictured left) and Marmalade. They were at animal control probably because they are both blind and therefore, unwanted. Marmalade was totally blind in one eye, which had already ruptured. He could possibly see light and dark with the other eye, but it was very fragile. Mocha was already blind in both eyes and also had a broken hip, either from injury or a congenital condition. We think they are siblings due to the shared eye condition as well as their similar size and age (nine months). They are definitely bonded and take care of each other.

The resulting surgeries — Marmalade had to have both of his eyes removed and Mocha had to have hip surgery — plus care and housing add up to nearly $1,200. However, in times like these we always manage to find a way to cover the costs and we've already received a few donations from those who've heard about it. Of course, we still need a lot more!

One may ask that with all the healthy cats out there to save, why do we bother with these poor kitties with so many strikes against them? Sometimes after meeting the cat, we see that they have a special personality or strength of will that is hard to ignore. We know they've already survived the worst that can be done to them and will fight to overcome the injuries or illness and subsequent recovery. We also evaluate whether the predicted quality of life after recovery is sufficient to undertake the effort. In the case of Mocha and Marmalade, we knew they'd still be blind, which would be a challenge for them and their future adopter, but otherwise they'd be perfectly healthy. Even though the blindness will be challenge, cats are known to adjust well to this handicap and live long and happy lives.

On the day after Marmalade's surgery (pictured below), Stacy Bauer, Board member, checked on the two cats at the vet. "I held Marmalade until my arm fell asleep! He just lay there and purred.  He is a total love bug. Mocha had a little harder time adjusting after her surgery, but she will be fine," said Stacy.

We know that by the time they get to the PetSmart Adoption Center, they will be beautiful and fully recovered and ready for adoption. Although completely blind, with a caring adopter and a loving home, both Mocha and Marmalade will adjust with very few problems. 

Click this link to see more of M&M.

If you'd like to co-sponsor M&M's surgery and recovery, please visit our website Donations page for instructions.  Or, if you would be interested in adopting them (together), complete and submit an adoption application.