This week, a very special cat at the Canadian Animal Rescue & Extended Shelter in Langley needs help. Elliott is a domestic medium-hair cat, black and completely blind.
鈥淗e had a severe eye infection in both [eyes] while he was on the streets, living the life of a stray. A good samaritan picked him up and took him to the vet for treatment. Elliott is now totally blind,鈥� C.A.R.E.S. staff explain.
Fast-forward to today and Elliott, a determined little survivor, no longer has to worry about food and lodging, and receives lots of love from all the volunteers working at the shelter. The problem, however, is that, due to his complete lack of sight, Elliott feels he must establish his dominance when other cats are around.
鈥淥nce he has established an alpha dominance with a cat, he leaves that cat alone,鈥� say staff. 鈥淚t would be OK, but there are so many cats in the shelter, he becomes aggressive with all of them because he cannot see. In the world of animals, you either survive or you don鈥檛. Whether it鈥檚 in the wild or in a shelter, a pecking order will be established and once that is accomplished, peace, in general, will reign. Factor in the many different personalities that cats can have in a shelter and we have a problem.鈥�
Because Elliott is so protective of himself, he cannot be allowed to roam the shelter run unsupervised. When he is allowed out, a C.A.R.E.S. volunteer must watch him and prevent any fighting. That means he lives in a cubby; if he isn鈥檛 separated, there is an aura of fear on the part of the other cats. When he鈥檚 in a cubby, he cries and tries to get out.
"What Elliott needs is a foster home, or permanent home, with someone who understands his plight. When Elliott is allowed to roam the kitchen in the shelter, with no other cats loose, he is peaceful, happy and loves to cuddle. This is what he needs on a permanent basis. He needs a human to share their home with him and only him. When he realizes there are no threats for him, he鈥檚 a happy boy."
Is there someone out there who will give Elliott an opportunity to show what a great cat he is? He needs, as we all do, unconditional love and understanding.
Visit for direct contact information and to learn more about the adoption process.
