The Regina Humane Society is in the business of giving animals a second change, but Oracle is a bit of a different case.
“Oracle has a condition called microphthalmia,” said Sydney Chow, associate veterinarian at the Regina Humane Society. “It’s a congenital condition in which her eyes are very tiny and not functional, so she’s blind.”
The kitten made her way to the Humane Society on Nov. 15 after she was found in an industrial site. She’s making a home for herself in foster care with Corbin and Kristian Fraser.
"(When) she first showed up and she was hissing and batting at anything that would approach her,” Corbin said. “You could tell she was very fearful and being in a new environment with new smells and new sounds, it was as if she was in her worst nightmare."
The Frasers have cared for more than 50 animals over the past few years, but a blind kitten presents some unique challenges.
"The family (that adopts her) will have to treat her a little bit differently, because obviously she can't see,” said Bill Thorn, director of marketing and public relations for the Regina Humane Society. Thorn said it’s important to keep Oracle’s environment static, like keeping furniture in the same place, to help her find her way.
“They will develop a blind sense of where things are and make their way around quite easily,” he said.
There is still a bit of vet work in Oracle’s future. She needs surgery to remove her eyes to guard against infection. That surgery is scheduled for early next year and the Humane Society has set up a GoFundMe page to help with the cost.
Oracle doesn’t seem to know she’s different. She does just fine on her own.
“Ultimately she knows she’s a cat,” Corbin said. “She doesn’t know that she’s blind.”
Oracle will be available for adoption after she has fully recovered from the surgery.
