In Tampa, Florida, Joshua Hiebert was tidying up his garden in June of last year when he noticed a figure crouched in his driveway.
Hiebert told The Dodo, “I saw this small lump of an orange kitten sitting up against our garage door as I was heading back to the house. It was around 90 degrees outdoors and he was sitting in the sun on the concrete.
Hiebert checked the area, but there was no sign of the kitten’s mom, so he quickly took a video to show his husband, Jose Tortolero. Hiebert knew that a feral cat colony lived in his neighborhood and had tried to be kind to them when they were around.
“We’d fed them before, so we think the mom maybe felt comfortable leaving [the kitten] with us,” Hiebert said.
Hiebert checked the area, but there was no sign of the kitten’s mom, so he quickly took a video to show his husband, Jose Tortolero. Hiebert knew that a feral cat colony lived in his neighborhood and had tried to be kind to them when they were around.
“We’d fed them before, so we think the mom maybe felt comfortable leaving [the kitten] with us,” Hiebert said.
@mr.gardeners Good Vibes only for Whiskers, please 🙌🏻 #kitten #rescue #blindkitten #fingerscrossed #whiskers
The kitten stumbled inside the garage after Hiebert unlocked the entrance, where it squatted in a corner. Hiebert remarked, “He was really weak. “We noticed he wasn’t really interacting with us since he couldn’t even really keep his head up. For example, he didn’t appear to care whether or not we moved. But we explained it away by saying that he was severely dehydrated.
When Hiebert and Tortolero gave the kitten a dish of water, they saw that he tested the depth of the liquid by dipping his paw into it and tapping it. They discovered the orange kitty was blind at that point.
@mr.gardeners When we realized our kitten was blind. 😭 He’s a tough boy though, and he’s thriving now! #blindkitten #kitten #kittenrescue #kittensoftiktok
The couple rushed to the pet store for supplies and hand-fed the kitten, who seemed grateful for the meal and a comfortable place to sleep. The next day, the kitten, whom they named Whiskers, was full of energy.
They brought Whiskers to the vet for a checkup, where he was given eye drops, eye lubricants and antibiotics.
@mr.gardeners Whiskers Update! Thank you for the positive Vibes 🙌🏻 You’re all amazing. ❤️ #kitten #blindkitten #kittenrescue #fingerscrossed #whiskers
Though Whisker’s eyes started to get better with treatment, he’s almost entirely blind, only able to see changes in light and movements. His dads still hope his vision will improve with time and care, and are doing everything they can to help him.
Now, at 6 months old, Whiskers is an energetic and independent kitten, who loves to play with his dads and his two dog siblings.
“He’s the sweetest,” Hiebert said. “He’ll never put his claws into you when he’s playing. He’s very gentle.”
“He gets excited every time he’s done eating,” he added. “He gets the zoomies and runs around the house.”
Whiskers is content as long as he is close to one of his fathers, despite the fact that he still needs to mend and grow. And Hiebert and Tortolero are happy to have him as a part of their family and home.
We adore him so much, added Hiebert. He is unquestionably a member of the family.
