A few weeks ago, we received a call from a fellow rescuer who had found three tiny kittens, each weighing barely a pound. They named them Edgar, Allen, and Poe. Tragically, Edgar and Poe’s eyes were in terrible condition—both had ruptured eyeballs. To say they were in rough shape was an understatement.
We took them into our rescue and placed them with an experienced foster, knowing they’d need intensive care. The kittens would require enucleation (eye removal surgery), but they were far too small for the procedure at the time. We needed to wait until they reached at least two pounds.
Heartbreak struck unexpectedly when Allen, the strongest of the trio, passed away without warning. Losing him devastated us all. In response, we rushed Edgar and Poe to the vet for immediate evaluation. Despite their serious eye issues, they were otherwise stable and tested negative for FIV and FeLV.
On Thursday, the two were admitted to Long Island Spay and Neuter for their eye surgeries. While under anesthesia, Poe was re-tested for FeLV and this time, tested positive—a near-certain death sentence for most cats. We faced a heart-wrenching decision: euthanize him and not proceed with the surgery, or give him a chance at life by moving forward with the procedure. With heavy hearts but hopeful spirits, we chose to move forward with Poe’s surgery, knowing there’s a chance young kittens can clear the virus over time. Their foster, heartbroken yet determined, advocated for these resilient little souls, who remain some of the sweetest, most joyful kittens we’ve ever met. Now, Edgar and Poe are recovering from their surgeries, playing, and showing their incredible strength and resilience. Though the road ahead is uncertain, we are holding onto hope for these two fighters.