Homeless Kittens Born Without Eyelids Rescued From Drainage Pipe

Photo Credit: MSPCA Angell Animal Medical Center

After being miraculously rescued from a drainage pipe, two homeless kittens born without eyelids are awaiting sight-saving surgery at the MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center in Jamaica Plain, the organization announced Thursday.

The kittens, both just 10 weeks old, were pulled from a construction site in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood by a good samaritan, the MSPCA said.

“Anna” and “Elsa” were born without upper eyelids. They suffer from a rare congenital condition known as Agenesis. In order to save their eyesight, Dr. Martin Coster plans to attach tissue from their lips to the muscle that allows them to blink, effectively reconstructing the missing lids.

The kittens’ surgery is expected to cost over $2,000. The money will be taken from the Spike’s Fund, a fund that pays the medical care costs of homeless animals at the Boston adoption center. That fund is nearly depleted, the organization said.

Anyone who wishes to donate may do so by clicking here: www.mspca.org/dorchesterkittens.

“Any donations we raise will be used to offset the costs of Anna and Elsa’s surgery and to administer ongoing veterinary care for animals like them,” said MSPCA-Angell adoption center manager Alyssa Krieger. “We’re hopeful that those who support our good work will keep doing so, so we can continue going above and beyond for the animals in our care.”

If the kittens do not undergo the surgery, constant irritation brought on by dry and itchy eyes will eventually lead to complete blindness. Their surgery is scheduled to take place on Oct. 5.

“We’re pulling out all the stops for Anna and Elsa so that they can enjoy a long and healthy life in an adoptive home,” said Krieger.