This is the incredible story of a mother and daughter duo who thought of an incredible solution for a tragic problem.
Keep reading to discover how Alana Miller and her daughter changed the lives of thousands of blind cats forever.
The Bold &Blind
Alana Miller and her daughter were volunteering at a local shelter when they came across a six week old blind kitten named Louie.
Louie’s owner surrendered him to the shelter because he was unable to take care of him.
Even worse, Louie’s owner planned on abandoning him in the PetSmart parking lot if the shelter wouldn’t take him.
Sadly, the shelter Louie was brought to was unwilling to take him because he “wasn’t adoptable”.
Alana couldn’t bear the thought of this 6-week-old blind kitten being left alone to fend for himself.
Alana knew she needed to do the right thing. She generously stepped in and offered to take him.
Little did she know, Louie would open a whole new world for her and her family.
Louie was able to do everything a “normal” cat could do.
He played, climbed, ran, and loved to snuggle just like a cat that wasn’t blind.
He was living proof that being blind wasn’t the end of the world.
Blind cats are just as lovable and capable as any other cat!
Making A Difference
Soon, Alana and her daughter started rescuing more blind cats.
After taking in their fourth blind cat, Alana and her daughter quickly became aware of the lack of resources available for blind cats.
Under the law, in North Carolina, if a cat is sick, injured, or blind they are not considered adoptable and may be euthanized in animal control facilities.
Alana Miller and her daughter applied to become a 501(c)3 nonprofit in St. Paul’s, North Carolina.
In 2005, the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary opened and began saving the lives of innocent blind cats.
Cat Lives Matter
Alana also realized that thousands of cats were being euthanized every day for testing positive for FIV and FELV.
After doing her research, Alana found that many of those test results were false positives because of inaccurate testing.
In 2011, Alana added a second building to her sanctuary specifically for cats that tested positive for FELV (Leukemia positive) and FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus).
Not only are these cats re-tested with more accurate technology, but they are given a safe place to thrive regardless of their diagnoses.
Alana and many other rescuers are well aware of the misinformation surrounding FELV and FIV.
Cats that have been diagnosed with these diseases can enjoy a long and fulfilling life under the right conditions.
It’s important for cat owners to educate themselves and learn that there is hope for these cats.
Blind, But Not Broken
Alana and her daughter have truly made a difference in their community by fighting back on the idea that blind cats aren’t worth saving.
Blind cats can do just about anything a normal cat can do.
They love to climb trees and cabinets and can get themselves into places that will leave you questioning how they did it.
Something many people outside of the rescue world don’t know is that blind cats are also incredibly adaptive.
Cats in general are incredibly adaptive. That quality alone is what made cats thrive in a variety of environments all over the world.
But special needs cats are especially adaptive!
If there is a change in their environment, they will quickly adjust to the change by using their whiskers to help with direction and any possible obstacles.
“They don’t know they’re blind. They just know they’re cats,” said Jackson Galaxy, The famous cat whisperer.
The Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary has committed to caring for thousands of cats that would have otherwise been euthanized.
Thanks to them, thousands of cats (both blind and not blind) have had a second chance at life!
Cheryl Overbey
Friday 5th of March 2021
Alana and her daughter are true heroes in my Opinion. They take these blind or FIV positive kitties that are otherwise perfectly healthy, but deemed unadoptable in, saving them from euthanasia. They are loved, cared for and given a Forever home at the sanctuary.
Liz
Friday 5th of March 2021
In addition to saving blind, FELV + and FIV+ kitties Alana and her amazing crew work at spaying/neutering cats in their county, raised funds to provide oxygen equipment to the fire departments in their county for pets, raised funds to equip the K9 unit with a device to let the officer know if the temperature changes in the vehicle when he/she is away from the vehicle with the k9 officer still in the vehicle and, shares massive amounts of information to folks to help us all better care for our pets. She is an amazing woman with a daughter and staff/volunteers equally dedicated to saving these beautiful creatures.
mark a Tufts
Thursday 4th of March 2021
alana i have alot of respect for you
alana Miller
Thursday 4th of March 2021
Thank you so much for writing the article! And thank you everyone for your kind words! We could not do what we do if it were not for the support of a lot of very wonderful generous people!
Shadi
Saturday 6th of March 2021
We're honored that you read our article! <3 Thank you, Alana!
John Doyle
Thursday 4th of March 2021
I happen to love Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary and not only do I donate, I Sponsor two FELV kitties named Derek and Richard! God bless you Alana Miller and God bless your wonderful daughter, too!