Cat’s world goes from blurry to bright

Life was a bit blurry for Persia when she first arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary from a shelter in Louisiana. This sweet tortoiseshell-colored tabby, often referred to as a “torbie,” could barely open her eyes due to entropion. Entropion is a condition where the eyelid rolls inward, causing fur and eyelashes to rub against the eye. Left untreated, this painful condition can lead to irritation, infection, and even damage to the cornea.

[Cat regains sight thanks to dedicated volunteers]

Best Friends supports shelters in reaching no-kill in 2025 by taking in pets who may need extra care before going to homes — pets like Persia. The Best Friends veterinary team quickly went to work on Persia. It took multiple surgeries, but she made it through each one like a champ and the procedures were a success. Though she’ll always be a little squinty, her discomfort disappeared, and her beautiful green eyes shone brightly. And that’s when she finally started to come out of her shell.

Understandably, Persia was a bit shy and reserved as she healed. Caregivers lovingly referred to her as a “caturtle” because it took time for her to emerge from her furry, torbie shell. She spent her days quietly observing the world around her, cautious yet curious, and preferred not to interact much with people.

However, Persia was never truly alone. She was a “cat’s cat,” preferring feline companionship over human attention. Her caregivers often found her nestled in the epic “cuddle puddle” of Morgaine’s Place, one of the buildings in Cat World. There, a group of fuzzy felines would snuggle together on a blanket in purring harmony for hours on end. This feline snoozefest played a vital role in Persia’s transformation, helping her feel safe and gradually building her trust in people.

“She was still a little shy when I first met her,” recalls caregiver Arabelle Osicky. “But over time, she grew more comfortable. Eventually she became super social — a huge sweetie pie with a loud purr who loved attention.”

When Felicia Bicknell visited the Sanctuary, she wasn’t looking for a younger cat like Persia. She wanted an older cat to be a companion for her blind senior cat, Indy. While Persia wasn’t a senior, her calm and gentle energy made her a “purrfect” fit and Felicia brought her home.

[Shy kitty finds her happy place in a new home]

“She has been fantastic with Indy,” Felicia says. “She’s incredibly patient and respects his space, waiting for him to approach her when he’s ready. Persia fits perfectly into my lifestyle, and I think she’s really settling in and enjoying it here.”

From barely being able to open her eyes to thriving in a home of her own, Persia has come a long way. Though life started out blurry for her, Persia now sees her world clearly — and her future’s so bright, she might have to wear shades.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.