In 2018, two kittens from the same litter were taken in by the SPCA of Wake County rescue centre in North Carolina, USA. During their check-up, the carers quickly noticed something special about the little female, named Garnet.
Her brother, Santiago, looked like a typical cat. Garnet, on the other hand, had huge blue eyes that were much larger than those of other kittens. The team members said they had never seen such a striking gaze.
A sad return
The two kittens were bottle-fed until they were strong enough to be weaned. They were then adopted together by a family. But several years later, their story took an unexpected turn. Their owner had to move into an assisted living facility and was sadly unable to keep the pets. As a result, the two cats were brought back to the rescue centre.
When the volunteers saw them again, they were struck by one detail: Garnet's eyes seemed even larger and more captivating than before. Their intense blue colour, shot through with light flecks, immediately draws you in.
A medical mystery and a plea for a home
Several veterinary check-ups have confirmed that Garnet's unusual appearance doesn't affect her quality of life. Her foster family has simply noticed that due to her small irises, she is a little sensitive to light and prefers dimly lit places. Other than that, she is in perfect health.
However, vets have not been able to explain exactly why her eyes are so large and bright.
Garnet's striking appearance has earned her amusing comparisons to the character Gollum, and even to an alien. On social media, many people have been fascinated by her almost surreal gaze.
Despite this, Garnet and Santiago have been waiting for a new family for several months. The two cats grew up together and are very attached to each other. For this reason, the rescue centre wants them to be adopted as a pair.
According to the volunteers, Garnet is a particularly affectionate cat who loves cuddles and is very intelligent. Together with her brother Santiago, she could bring a great deal of joy to a family… if only someone would finally offer them a second chance.
