In March 2024, a severely malnourished blind cat was rescued from the streets of Andheri East by volunteers from World For All Animal Care & Adoptions. Named **"Noor"** (meaning "light" in Arabic), this courageous feline has since become a symbol of hope for disabled pet adoption in India.
This is the heartwarming journey of how Noor found love—and why her story is changing perceptions about special-needs animals in Mumbai.
📌 Critical Moment: A street vendor alerted World For All after spotting Noor collapsing near a gutter.
✔ Eye surgery (removal of non-functional eyes to prevent infection)
✔ IV fluids & antibiotic therapy (7 days intensive care)
✔ Special diet (Royal Canin Recovery feed)
💡 Vet’s Insight:
"Noor adapted to blindness remarkably fast—cats rely heavily on smell and whiskers."
Most potential adopters hesitated because:
❌ **"Blind cats are too difficult"** (Myth!)
❌ **"We don’t have time for a disabled pet"**
But then came Riya Mehta, a 28-year-old Mumbai-based therapist:
"Her resilience moved me. Disability doesn’t mean less love—just different care."
✔ Scent-based navigation: Riya uses lavender oil markers near food/water stations.
✔ Audible toys: Bell balls and crinkle sacks for playtime.
✔ Cuddle routine: Noor sleeps curled against Riya’s therapy clients (calming effect).
📸 Viral Moment: A reel of Noor confidently climbing her cat tree got 500K+ likes on Instagram.
Her adoption inspired:
✅ 3 other blind cats getting adopted from World For All (April-June 2024)
✅ Corporate CSR funding for disabled animal rehab (HDFC Bank’s recent grant)
✅ **"Adopt Don’t Shop" rallies** at Juhu Beach
✔ Donate: To Feline Foundation (Mumbai) for medical funds
✔ Foster: Contact The Feline Friends (Andheri)
✔ Educate: Share Noor’s story to fight disability stigma
Noor proves that disabilities don’t diminish joy—they redefine it. Her tale reminds us that every rescue animal deserves a chance, regardless of imperfections.
Andrew
|
2025.04.11