Two kitten brothers who were rescued by the RSPCA just before Christmas are recovering well after undergoing surgery to their eyes.
Four-month-old ginger kittens Gabriel and Arthur were rescued from a builders’ yard in Peterlee, County Durham, in December last year (2020).
They were most likely born to a feral mother, but an outbreak of cat flu meant that Gabriel is completely blind and has lost his eyes, and Arthur only had sight in one eye. 
The kittens came into the care of the RSPCA Cat Hub but sadly they were not out of the woods yet so the Cat Hub launched a fundraising appeal to help raise funds for much-needed surgery for their eyes.
Gabriel needed surgery to stitch his eyelids together to prevent irritants from getting into his empty eye sockets and Arthur needed surgery as he was suffering from entropion in his one good eye.
This condition means his eyelid turned inward so his eyelashes and skin rubbed against the surface of the eye causing irritation and discomfort. The RSPCA Cat Hub managed to raise the target amount of £1,020 in just 24 hours thanks to a swell of support from kind animal lovers and the operations took place on Friday 12 February.
Sadly, during Arthur’s operation, the vets found there was not enough skin to form a new eyelid which would leave Arthur’s eye completely exposed so he also had to have his second eye removed.
Sophie Moran-Baker, RSPCA Cat Hub Rehoming Co-ordinator, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who donated to help us fund the operations for Gabriel and Arthur. Gabriel’s surgery went well and his eyelids are now sewn together to prevent irritants such as cat litter getting into his eye sockets.
“Arthur’s operation was slightly more complicated than anticipated which means he has now lost both eyes but removing his second eye means he is free from pain and discomfort and he has already started to get around his foster home quite well using his sense of smell and touch. We’re sure with Gabriel by his side he will learn to adjust well.”
The extra £700 raised by the appeal will go towards the on-going care for the kittens who are still in foster care receiving some much-needed TLC following their surgery.
The RSPCA Cat Hub is based in Darlington and is supported by five RSPCA local branches. The Cat Hub is one of the most successful rehoming centres in the country finding happy homes for more than 300 cats and kittens a year.
