Bookie,

I have a wonderful blind cat, Duffy.  He is truly remarkable and has brought
an incredible amount of joy to our household.  Duffy was approximately 5
years when I adopted him, and he has blind since birth.  Like yours, he
spent several months in the shelter before I adopted him.  I had some of the
same concerns you outlined, especially because I already had a cat (Holly)
who had previously been very aggressive toward any other cat in my vicinity.
She was so aggressive that we called her "the black tornado."  I took a very
slow, cautious, measured approach to the introduction.  In fact, I precisely
followed the advice of a friend who has had a great deal of experience in
introducing cats with different (and potentially conflicting) personalities.
It was a full 6 weeks before I left the two of them alone together at all
times.  They now are a happy twosome.  Depending on the personalities of
your cats, you may not need to take that much time, but it is always better
to go very slowly than to try to rush these introductions -- especially
given the circumstances you outlined.

I have previously written a fairly lengthy document on the introduction I
used.  I have posted it in "bits and pieces" on this site over a period of
time, but I will be happy to email it to you if you want to read it.  I am
posting links under my sig to a "pictorial history" of the introduction.  In
particular, you might want to look at the temporary door we used on "Duffy's
room."  That way, they could be close to each other without taking any
chances of an attack.  In addition, look at the platter that I placed under
the door at meal time.  Each cat was able to eat in very close proximity to
the other without actually being in the same room.  Again, that was some
time into the introduction period.  Incidentally, I spent a great deal of
time with Duffy during that period; I did not simply leave him alone in his
separate room.  Also, I lavished loving and attention on Holly every time I
left Duffy's room because I did not want her to feel displaced and to
possibly become resentful of Duffy.

One thing I would like to emphasize is that Duffy adjusted *beautifully.*
He can do almost anything a sighted can do except run rapidly through the
house.  Instead, he has his "vertical space."  I have two sturdy cat trees
and some other climbing surfaces -- he loves to climb and is like a little
gymnast.  I used carpeted surfaces in most instances, with only one sisal
pole on each cat tree, because he needs to be able to climb.  Holly can
simply leap from one bed to another on the cat tree, but Duffy needs to be
able to use the poles for navigation.

Please fee free to contact me.  And *thank you VERY much* for adopting this
kitty.  (My email address attached to this message is valid except that you
first need to "take-out-the-litter.")

MaryL

Photos of Duffy and Holly:     >'o'<
http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly)
http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in")

First of all a round of applause for being prepared to consider her!

Other than that I have no experience but there's someone on this
list...Forget her name but remeber she has 2 cats (like a lot of people
I remember her cats but not her name!) who has adopted Duffy who is
blind and also has Holly who is not so my contribution is keeping this
at the top of the list so I hope she will see it and reply..

Lesley

Slave of the Fabulous Furballs

I really hope you adopt Mabel. I think that Jessie will adapt fine if
she is as laid back as you say. I had a wonderful Siamese named Dudley
with me for the past 2 years. We sort of inherited him as his mommy died
 and she was a friend of the family. Anyway, point is, he was blind AND
deaf and 12 years old with a host of health problems. Oh boy. It's hard
to talk about him. He just went to the bridge overnight on August 28th,
so my heart is still pretty broken.

When he first got here, we didn't even KNOW that he was deaf and blind.
I have to say that it was absolutely amazing to me how he learned his
way around our house. YOu definitely want to be careful about moving
furniture around, but Dudley adapted well to any and all changes that
happened here!!!! My other baby, Luna, was never fond of Duds. She
basically just tolerated him. Sometimes she'd try to swat at him and
stuff and he WOULD fight back. It was kinda funny. Usually though, she'd
just end up running away. Even though he tried to find her and did a
good job following her scent, he'd eventually lose her completely. I
don't think it is a myth that their other senses are heightened. I think
that dudley's nose worked overtime!!!! :)

I say give it a try. follow MaryL's suggestions on
separation/integration and I think you will have one happily purring
household in no time.

What a wonderful thing for Mabel.
Post pics when you bring her home!!!!! :):):)

Pam

After she's in your house for a few weeks, you won't believe she's blind!
Blind cats are brilliantly adaptable creatures!  Just get her toys that make
noise- some with little bells inside.  If your other cat can handle wearing
a break-away collar, get her one with a little bell so she doesn't startle
your blind cat.  The bell with also help her follow your other cat around.

Here're some pictures of one of our blind cats. Same circumstances as yours-
severe infection in the eyes + ringworm all over her face. She recovered and
adapted so well that if you didn't see her face you wouldn't know she was
blind.  She runs all over the house and even *jumps* and lands with
pin-point accuracy! She's amazing!

http://maxshouse.com/bitsys_page.htm

The cats of this world need more people like you!

Best of luck & congratulations!

Phil

Hello,
MaryL has already given you some wonderful advice. Thank you for
thinking (and hopefully adopting) this kitty! I currently have a 6 yo
cat who is blind in one eye and "impaired" in the other (born with
cataracts in both eyes). He adapted wonderfully and I can't even tell
he has a disability. In fact, I've heard stories of owners whose cats
had gone blind, but they adapted so well, the owners didn't even know
until much later.

One  thing's for sure... You'll need a high-sided littler box. IBen
involved with a blind cat before. When it took a dump, it would
constantly let it's rump hang over the side (since it couldn't see a
thing). Another little tip,... don't be rearranging the furniture. They
get used to everything being in the same place. It's kinda funny with
the kids, but we know it's not really funny at all, watching Kit-Kat
walking around with a bruised nose all the time.
Just take heed of the little box thing. That's my advice..

To the rest of you.... I know you're reading this. And I know the
drill. Just wanted to let you know I'll be here for awhile. If any of
you wanted to take a vacation, now's the time. Believe me.
                                                    IBen Getiner