Brave one-eyed kitten's fresh start

Found alone in a garage at only three to four weeks old, Pirate was injured and missing her mum.

The tiny kitten was suffering with a ruptured left eye before she arrived in the safe hands of our Victoria animal hospital team in December.

She was also far too young to be separated from her mum, in need of love and sustenance.

Amanda Rumball, London Welfare Officer, says: “We aren’t sure how Pirate got the eye injury but she didn’t have any signs of cat flu, so it was potentially caused by some kind of trauma.”

Brave Pirate’s eye could not be saved, and so a crucial operation to remove it – known as an enucleation – was planned to prevent pain and infection. But it was risky surgery for a kitten so small.

Amanda continues: “It’s always a risk doing surgery on a pet so young, but the benefits outweighed the risks in this case.”

Thankfully, the operation was a success, and plucky Pirate went from strength to strength.

Amanda adds: “Pirate was desperate for love and a sweet little kitten. She would let you know she was there by meowing for attention, just in case you forgot she was there in the cat ward!

“It was so sad as she should have still been with her mum and siblings, but we’re so relieved someone found her and brought her into us otherwise she might not be here today.”

Once she was well enough, Pirate travelled to our Hertfordshire rehoming centre to continue her recovery. And, after 40 days in our care, she found a fresh start and a loving home.