While scrolling through a social media post in early 2019, Sarah O’Hearn came across a stunning, deaf and partially blind cat in search of her forever home for the past two years. Sarah felt a strong connection and was captivated by the fluffy black kitty with mesmerizing blue eyes.
On Instagram, @magnificent_the_magnificent shared a photo of a couple, Sarah and her boyfriend, who already had a deaf and blind Maine Coon named Stephen. They were thrilled to welcome Magnificent into their home, confident that they could provide her with the care she needed. Sarah mentioned that they had experience communicating with Stephen and meeting all his needs, so taking care of Magnificent wouldn’t be too much of a hassle for them.
After learning about the challenges three-year-old Maleficent had faced in her young life, Sarah was even more motivated to help the lovely cat with special needs. When she was just one year old, Maleficent’s family tried to rehome her, describing her as wild, feral, and possibly hazardous.
Thanks to Nicole, Maleficent was rescued from a potentially aggressive and unpredictable situation. Surprisingly, Maleficent turned out to be a friendly and sweet pup. Sarah noted that Maleficent’s previous family didn’t realize she was deaf, which may have caused some misunderstandings. After being rescued, Maleficent was taken to Twin Cities Pet Rescue for treatment of corneal edema, a condition that can lead to blindness and swelling.
Maleficent underwent a procedure to develop scar tissue on her eyes before being adopted in 2016. However, she was returned to the rescue in Minnesota the following year. Sarah explained, “Maleficent didn’t adjust well in her new home and had to spend the following two years hopping from one foster home to another until the perfect family came along.”
After coming across a captivating photo of Maleficent on Instagram, Sarah felt a strong connection and believed that she and her boyfriend, Mark, were the perfect match for the black cat. Excited and determined, Sarah reached out to the rescue organization via email, outlining all the reasons why their New Hampshire home would provide a loving and suitable environment for Maleficent. Despite initial doubts from the rescue due to their location being over 1,500 miles away from Minneapolis, where the organization primarily operated, Sarah remained hopeful and persistent in her quest to bring Maleficent home.
After feeling a bit down, Sarah didn’t let it stop her. A month later, Maleficent was still on her mind, so she contacted Twin Cities Pet Rescue. She outlined every possible reason why they should consider making an exception for her.
Sarah detailed why she thought her home would be the perfect fit for Mal, even offering to provide letters of recommendation from her vet and previous rescue organizations she had volunteered with. Surprisingly, Sarah’s persistence paid off as her adoption request was accepted, leading her to fly to Minneapolis to finally meet Maleficent in person.
“I remember picking her up from a volunteer’s place and instantly falling in love,” Sarah reminisces. Maleficent made her way to her new home in New Hampshire on April 8, 2019. Despite being deaf and partially blind, she quickly settled into Sarah and Mark’s home. However, it took a bit longer for her to warm up to Stephen, her new furry sibling.
According to Sarah, Stephen used to be too enthusiastic and would startle Maleficent by jumping straight into her face, causing her to slap him away. But with time, Stephen learned to approach Maleficent by backing into her, and now, a month later, these two unique cats can play together quite peacefully. Apart from hanging out with Stephen, Maleficent also loves chasing after the laser pointer and playing with the new kittens her family recently adopted from their local rescue organization.
Maleficent loves spending time outdoors, whether she’s taking a stroll on a leash or riding in her pet stroller. She has a strong passion for food and being pampered. According to Sarah, Maleficent is a big fan of all types of cheese and thoroughly enjoys being groomed. Despite her visual impairments, she doesn’t have any difficulty locating her litter box, which is a common concern for owners of blind cats.
As per a post shared by @maleficent_the_magnificent on Instagram, Sarah mentioned that taking care of Maleficent and Stephen, despite needing daily eye drops and frequent appointments with an eye specialist, has been surprisingly manageable. She noted that while they require more attention compared to her sighted cats, they are easier to care for than her dog. Sarah emphasized that having a disabled cat in your home can be a highly fulfilling experience.
The team at Twin Cities Pet Rescue was initially concerned about finding a suitable family for Maleficent, who lived over 1,000 miles away. However, it is evident that Maleficent is now flourishing with Sarah, Mark, and their furry companions. Despite spending two years in foster care, Maleficent has finally found her forever home where she is showered with love and attention, allowing her to thrive.
Sarah expresses her strong connection to Maleficent, describing her as a sweet, friendly, and spirited member of their family. They feel lucky to have her around, enjoying her happy and mischievous nature. Every day, they delight in discovering more of her sassy personality.
Take a look at this adorable cat by following Maleficent on Instagram at @maleficent_the_magnificent.
