A CAT-LOVING couple achieved a purr-fect ending to a sunshine holiday as they gave a new home to a blind kitten they first saw in a Cyprus cat sanctuary.
Yvonne and Roy Carey spent a considerable amount on medical checks and a flight to bring the little kitten more than 2,000 miles from the Tala Monastery Cats sanctuary to Dobcross.
They have named the 14-week-old kitten Milton, after the famous blind poet, and adopted another ten-week-old kitten, Cromwell, to act as his ‘eyes’.
The couple, who already have three cats Meg, Harvey and Boris, were visiting the island’s cat sanctuary with friends when they fell in love with the kitten.
Yvonne, 52, explained: “A small number of volunteers are totally dedicated to the welfare of the 450 cats and kittens which would have been left homeless and starving without them.
“We were overwhelmed by the welcome we received from these needy little souls – but one in particular captured my heart.
“He has had his eyes removed because of a severe inflection. When Milton – who was known as Rocky – first heard our voices he leaped to the front of his enclosure and reached out with his paw.
“I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving him but initially we were told someone had already expressed an interest in giving him a home.
“We were flying home the following day but revisited the sanctuary to leave some goodies and a donation and a final cuddle with Milton.
“I left my details should his new home fall through but with little hope I’d hear anything further.” Meantime, the couple’s friends Gary and Chrissy Webzell made arrangements to give a home to two other cats from the sanctuary.
And when the Careys arrived at the airport, they learned the sanctuary had decided Milton could become their pet so, after clearance, all three cats came back to the UK together.
“It was just like Christmas had come early,” said Yvonne.
“We have also adopted a sighted kitten, Cromwell, the protector, from Greater Manchester, who wears a bell on his collar so Milton can always locate him. “They are both settling in very well.” she added.
The Careys, who are director-owners of Fortress Windows North West, plan to raise funds for the sanctuary with their friends and donate it when they return to Cyprus next year.
Ian McConnell, behaviourist vet and practice principal at Ian McConnell’s Veterinary Practice in Mossley, commented: “It’s a lovely idea for Yvonne to take on this blind kitten and another one to help him out.
“Cats do get along most of the time but they can be very independent animals. Cats that are blind or deaf often compensate very well for themselves, more so than dogs.
“Yvonne will have to wait and see how much they will come to rely on each other as that’s quite hard to tell at this stage.”
Donations can be made to the Tala Monastery Cats sanctuary in Cyprus online by visiting: www.talamonasterycats.com
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