Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Wilson Was Blind and on Death Row, Then He Got 3 Big Breaks

Wilson is proud to call himself a “perfectly imperfect cat.” It’s a plaudit he’s come to own by virtue of going through life without either of his eyes. The rest of his back story is equally notable, as he escaped being on a “to be destroyed” list and also wound up being fostered by Beth Stern, the proudly cat-obsessed wife of the radio and TV personality Howard Stern.

Here’s how Wilson did it.

When he was just 10 weeks old, Wilson was picked up as a stray and taken to an Animal Care Center in Brooklyn, New York City. After inspection, it was discovered that he was suffering from ruptured eye globes that probably were the result of an untreated infection. Because of this condition, he was quickly doomed to the center’s euthanasia list.

divider cat faces oct 2024

Wilson2
Image via wilson_and_his_family Instagram

Thankfully, at the last moment the North Shore Animal League in Port Washington, New York, stepped in and saved Wilson. This kitten underwent a bilateral enucleation, which removed his eyes, and he was later fostered by Beth Stern.

Wilson1
Image via wilson_and_his_family Instagram

At this point, a woman called Noelle enters the story. She found herself randomly checking out Beth’s Instagram page.

“Beth shattered the crazy cat lady stereotype, and I wanted to know more about her work with kittens and cats,” says Noelle.

She noticed that Beth’s resident cat, Bella, was a blind Calico.

“I was amazed by Bella’s intelligence and ability to know her surroundings,” Noelle says. “I wanted a Bella of my own.”

Wilson3
Image via wilson_and_his_family Instagram

The next part of the tale writes itself: After Beth posted about “a little blind guy in need of a home” during the summer of 2015, Noelle applied to adopt the kitten … who was Wilson.

Wilson4
Image via wilson_and_his_family Instagram

Recapping Wilson’s eye operation, Noelle says that his untreated conjunctivitis placed pressure on his eye globes which ultimately caused them to rupture.

“As one would imagine, this condition is extremely painful for the kitten and required complete eye removal,” she says.

Since recovering from his surgery, Noelle says, Wilson has bloomed into an “energetic, precocious, and lovable cat.” She adds that he has developed an expert ability “to know exactly what is going on around him, which is truly remarkable.”

Wilson5
Image via wilson_and_his_family Instagram

These days, Wilson lives with four other cats, and Noelle says he has integrated into the family just like any other seeing kitty. He eats from the same bowls as his pals, becoming a self-sufficient cat who has mastered the terrain of his forever home.

“I make no special accommodations for his special needs,” says Noelle. “He doesn’t need them.

“I guess he has the house mapped in his head. He runs in open areas and is slower and more careful in rooms with furniture. He has a keen sense of hearing and smell — I can never sneak up on him, and he always knows when I am near.”

Wilson6
Image via wilson_and_his_family Instagram

While Wilson has happily moved on from his recovery time in the “cage-free, loving environment” that is Beth Stern’s home, Noelle says that he’ll forever remain grateful for the way Stern helped him get a fair shot at life.

“Beth is the real deal,” she says. “She cared for and nurtured Wilson until the day she handed him over to me. Beth is and will always be a part of Wilson’s life — after all she is his fairy god (foster) mother.”

Check out more of Wilson’s antics at his Facebook and Instagram pages.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

We Chat With Photographer Robert Bahou on “Animal Soul”

What do you see when you look at a photo of your cat? If you’re like me, you probably see coming to life...

Valor the Blind Kitten Lives Up to His Name

Originally published on Jul 24, 2013 and republished in remembrance of Valor who passed away in May 2022. There was obviously something wrong...

We Chat With Colin Egan, Also Known as “the Catoonist”

When I discovered Colin Egan’s artwork, I was drawn in by the way his style seems to blend bold and vivid street art...

These 8 Halloween Pumpkins Are Painted Like Celebrity Cats

Let’s be honest, pumpkin carving is difficult. Sure, whenever you attend some sort of Halloween soiree that involves sculpting the orange gourd, there...

More related

Smoking Cats? Jesus Dogs? We Interview Artist Michael Caines

Art is most profound when it stirs up our minds, when it presents the world in ways we’d not consciously considered or even...

Tate and Clutch - sun worshippers

Why Euthanasia Is A Gift: Dr. Karyn Explains

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and...

We Chat With the Owner of Atchoum the Celebrity Cat

Atchoum is the first French-Canadian celebrity cat. The exotic Persian, who looks like a long-lost relative of the late Colonel Meow, hails from...

Adam Ellis Talks About His Photo Book “Tiny Hats on Cats”

Adam Ellis began making tiny construction paper hats for his kitten, Maxwell, solely to amuse himself. It was a serendipitous beginning. “It started...

Keep reading

How to Care For a Three-Legged Cat: Expert Tips & Advice

Tripawd, tripod, trilimb—whatever you call them, a three-legged cat is just a different kind of pet. They might need a bit of help to live their best lives, but these animals make as wonderful companions as any full-limbed pet. Whether...

Three-legged cat sitting near the railings

Do Cats Cry When They’re Sad? Vet Approved Facts & Care Tips

Ask any cat owner if they believe that their cat is capable of feeling emotions, and you’ll likely be met with a resounding yes. Anyone who’s spent time around cats can quickly realize that our feline friends are indeed capable...

crying-cat_Shutterstock_arvitalyaart

Can Cats Eat Egg Yolk? Vet-Approved Nutrition Facts

The yolk of the egg is where most of the nutrients are found. It is packed with fat, which your cat can easily handle, and egg yolk can prove a healthy and nutritious treat for your cat. The high-calorie count...

Can Cats Eat Egg Yolk

Why Won’t My Cat Drink Water From Their Bowl? 6 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Cats are notorious for not drinking enough water. You also may notice that your cat prefers to drink from other locations than the bowl of fresh water that you provide every day. The bowl may be fresh, but that stale...

young cat staring at the bowl

Should You Let Your Cat Outside? Pros & Cons of Indoor & Outdoor Cats

To let or not to let your cat outside—that is the question. For some cat parents, this is never a quandary, as their feline companions already spend most of their time outside, and getting them used to living cloistered in...

short-haired domestic cat sitting outside in fenced

Why Do Cats Like Smelly Stuff? Facts & FAQ

Dog owners are painfully aware that their pets are often attracted by strong scents. However, many cats also seem to enjoy robust odors, such as dirty laundry or stinky shoes. Have you ever wondered why, especially since cats generally take...

Cat smelling laundry basket

Why Do Cats Like Dryer Sheets? Vet-Reviewed Causes & Safety Precautions

Do you like to use dryer sheets when you do your laundry? They make your clothes smell nice, feel soft, and remove static from clothing. Who doesn’t want fresh laundry? As it turns out, cats like dryer sheets, too. Dryer...

Dryer Sheet

Can Cats Eat Jelly (Jam)? Vet-Reviewed Facts to Consider

Spreading jelly on your morning toast or putting it in a sandwich is an easy, delicious way to make a quick meal taste good without too much work. Food, no matter what it is, is always bound to capture a...

Can Cats Eat Jelly (Jam)