Cat Went Blind Living In A Dirty Pet Store — Then Someone Saved Her
Moet, a white Persian cat, started her life in a pet shop in Oman, a small country in the Middle East.
She lived in a dirty cage filled with several other cats. Her only shot at a happy and comfortable life depended on whether or not she would be purchased someday.
But that day didn't come soon enough for her.
Moet caught a serious case of the cat flu from one of the other cats in the shop - and customers did not want to take home a sick cat. Soon, all of Moet's cagemates had found new homes outside the pet shop, leaving Moet all alone.
Without being given food or water regularly, in addition to a likely lack of medical care, Moet only became more ill - and, eventually, she went blind.
Thankfully, Moet's story did not end there.
She was rescued by a woman who often did sweeps of pet shops in Oman, pulling out animals who were the most at-risk, Emily Shotter, a member of Omani Paws, a rescue community in Oman, told The Dodo.
The woman who ultimately gave Moet a forever home has since left Oman.
However, her simple act of kindness changed Moet's entire life for the better. "Thank goodness she did what she did," Shotter said.
"Many of the pets in pet shops [in Oman] are in awful condition, with little food or water, wire-floor cages that are too small and no beds, toys or care," Shotter said. "Many people try to rescue animals from these dreadful conditions, but more are just brought in [from overseas] to replace them."
"Honestly, if you could see the pet shops here, it would make your stomach churn," she said. "The woman apparently told [the pet shop owners] she was taking [the animals] to the vet for treatment, but, of course, never returned them."
Once rescued, Moet was taken to the Al Qurum Veterinary Clinic, where the then 1-year-old cat underwent surgery to remove her eyes - as a result of her illness, they had become a source of infection, the clinic informed Shotter.
Little did Moet know her life was only going to get better from there on out.
In September 2014, Shotter, an immigrant to Oman from the U.K., was on the hunt.
She wanted a friend for her first rescue cat, Luna, a 3-year-old Maine Coon mix - ideally, a kitten.
"[The clinic] told me they had a 1-year-old blind Persian cat, but that she wouldn't be advertised because they wanted just the 'right' owner for her," Shotter said.
Initially, Shotter believed she wouldn't be able to put in the amount of time needed to take care of an animal with a disability, so she said no to the idea of adopting Moet. However, the clinic convinced Shotter to, at the very least, meet Moet in person - and so, Shotter agreed.
Then she fell in love.
"There [Moet] was, a sweet little champagne-colored Persian, with stitches in her eyes where they had recently been removed," Shotter said. "I crouched down next to her to stroke her. Instantly, she rolled over for tummy rubs and purred really loudly. I was sold."
Moet is now 3 years old and has been living with Shotter for nearly two years. Most importantly, she's living her best, most glamorous and happy feline life.
"She's a bit of an attention-seeker and solicits endless playtime when she's awake," Shotter said.
"She likes to experience things, climb up on things, taste [my] dinner and explore her cat-safe balcony, listening to all the sounds. She hates to be bored and needs lots of stimulation, because, of course, she cannot sit and survey her world in the same way sighted cats can," she added.
Shotter also described Moet as a bit of a diva who isn't above demanding chin-rubs or having her silky fur brushed with a comb. "I could brush her five times a day and that still wouldn't be enough," Shotter said.
In addition to her sister Luna, Moet has two other rescue siblings - Lily, another Persian, and Cosmo, another Maine Coon.
Shotter hopes to use Moet's social media popularity (complete with quirky Photoshopped images) to eventually raise enough funds to build a cat shelter in Oman.
Want to help the Al Qurum Veterinary Clinic in Oman continue doing good work for both pets and stray animals in need?Consider making a donation here.
Check out this video of Moet in action during playtime: