Brittain Bright stumbled upon Instagram photos of Felix, an endearing black-and-white cat who was sadly infected with feline calicivirus, in February 2018. Brittain immediately began sharing Felix’s story on various social media platforms.
Brittain reveals that Felix was a stray cat in Kuwait before RAF.KW rescued him. She felt compelled to contribute to his medical expenses and was constantly monitoring his progress.
The Instagram photo posted by @raf.kw depicts Felix, a cat who was rescued at the start of 2018 when he was approximately one year old. Due to feline calicivirus, Felix had ulcers on various parts of his body, including his paws, mouth, jaw, and eyes. This infectious disease permanently impaired his vision.
Raf.kw on Instagram shared the heartwarming story of Brittain, who courageously adopted a foreign cat with special needs. Despite potential concerns, Brittain offered the cat a permanent home shortly after veterinarians gave him the all-clear to live.
Brittain has experience caring for cats with special needs, as she previously adopted Orlando, a blind kitten who taught her to love and appreciate cats with special needs. Orlando demonstrated to Brittain that blind cats can live life just as fully as sighted cats, despite his untimely death from FIP. Brittain’s application to adopt Felix was approved, but she had to wait for him to recover from feline calicivirus and eye removal surgery. The veterinarians decided to remove Felix’s eyes to alleviate his pain, and despite some postoperative complications, Felix survived.
Felix, the adorable black-and-white cat, had to endure a lot before he could finally travel to England. Even though he was in good health, the British government mandated that he receive certain vaccinations and wait for a specific amount of time. As a result, Felix was placed in three different foster homes during his time in the RAF. KW took steps to ensure that he met all of the necessary requirements. Brittain, Felix’s owner, thanked the rescue group for keeping her informed of Felix’s well-being during his time with foster families.
Brittain eagerly waited ten months after seeing Felix’s photo on social media to finally welcome him to his new home in England. In December 2018, she picked him up from Heathrow Airport. Brittain began by confining Felix to a small area to facilitate his adaptation to his new environment. However, it was not long before the adorable cat began to explore and become curious about his new environment.
Brittain shared on Instagram via @sherlockandco that after only a few days, their pet was eager to leave the isolation bathroom. When the pet first began exploring the house, it was hesitant to go downstairs but eager to ascend.
Brittain devised an ingenious plan to help Felix, an inquisitive and blind cat, gain confidence in descending the staircase. She blocked the gaps between the banisters with cardboard and provided Felix with a path to follow as he descended the stairs. Felix learned how to use the guide quickly, and despite having nerve damage on one side of his body, he has no trouble navigating his family’s home more than a year later. Felix has even developed a preference for playing on the stairs as a result of Brittain’s brilliant idea.
The Instagram post by @sherlockandco reveals that Felix the cat enjoys napping with Teddy, his adopted brother. Additionally, he enjoys playing chase with the cats and humans in his home, running on his wheel (only if he receives treats), and playing with tissue paper and balloons.
Brittain, the owner of the Instagram account @sherlockandco, claims that her cat enjoys spending time in their enclosed backyard, but only when the weather is sunny and dry. She emphasized that he dislikes cold weather and rain because he was born in a desert environment. The cat also enjoys hearing birds, particularly when they pass through the garden or perch in the nearby trees. Brittain believes Sherlock believes he could capture a bird if he had wings.
Despite his inability to fly, Felix has proven to be surprisingly agile and coordinated for a blind cat. Felix has demonstrated that this is not always the case, contrary to the widespread belief that blind cats are physically less capable than sighted cats. His nerve damage limits his ability to jump to a certain height, but he can still easily land on sofas and chairs. Felix’s owner Brittain built him a footstool to help him climb onto the bed at night, enabling him to continue one of his favorite activities: snuggling with his mother. Felix is a sweet and affectionate boy who enjoys spending time with his human family, despite being blind.
The Instagram account @sherlockandco posted a cute image depicting Brittain and Felix’s unique relationship. Felix is not shy or timid despite being blind, as many people believe most blind cats to be. In contrast, he is a highly sociable cat who enjoys spending time with anyone who visits, including the veterinarian. He always desires to be in the center of any activity and greets everyone with a sniff.
Felix, a cat who is completely blind, relies on his other senses to navigate and comprehend his environment. Brittain, who has had the pleasure of observing Felix in action, asserts that the cat’s whiskers play a vital role in guiding him. Felix can point forward and navigate his environment with ease using these devices. Felix is able to track movement in his family’s garden, such as butterflies, despite his visual impairment. As with most felines, he is an expert at detecting sounds, particularly the sound of treat bags being opened.
Felix, a former stray cat, now enjoys a life filled with treats and fun, thanks to his mother, multiple foster parents, and the extraordinary people at RAF.KW. Brittain hopes that more people will consider adopting animals with special needs. Brittain believes Felix is an incredibly unique and deserving addition to her life, despite having to wait ten months to finally meet him.
Brittain expresses her fondness for Felix, her furry companion, in an Instagram post by @sherlockandco. Brittain reveals that she knew Felix belonged with her the moment they met, and Felix now shares this sentiment. Brittain enjoys returning home and having Felix greet her at the door and follow her around the house. Felix’s trust in her is gratifying, and she quickly recognized his kind and gentle nature. Since returning home, Felix has become more self-assured and sassy, revealing his full splendor.