Published Sep 11, 2026
Image Credit: The Cat Chronicles
How does a blind cat climb four floors high, sneak out a window, and end up on the roof without her humans seeing? It takes some real mischief-making talent, as Shoelace the cat can tell you from experience.
We talked to her mom to hear her story, from how she became blind to what happened on that scary day!
Look, Mom! I’m on the roof!
Image Credit: The Cat Chronicles
Shoelace is a mischievous cat. Once, while outside, her humans turned their backs for what felt to them like only a couple of minutes. Seizing the opportunity, Shoelace snuck back into the house, climbed all the way up to the fourth floor, and crawled out a window onto the roof.
At first, they couldn’t find her anywhere. They followed the sound of her meows, and were stunned to see her up so high!
Her mom had to call the local fire station, who brought their big ladder to get her down. Luckily, Shoelace was easy to coax into a crate, and they were able to lower her to safety.
Of course, her mom is very grateful to the fire fighters who came out to help–and assures us that the window is now permanently locked, so there won’t be any four-story falls in Shoelace’s future.
From Sick Rescue to Charming Housecat
Image Credit: The Cat Chronicles
Shoelace wasn’t always so boisterous, however. When she was found during lockdown in 2020, she was very sick. Her mom was volunteering for a cat charity in Dahab, Egypt when some other volunteers brought in an eight-week-old kitten. Her eyes were crusted together so badly that she couldn’t open them.
She was quickly taken to the vet and treated for an eye infection. Her mom cared for her around the clock, giving her three different eye drops fifteen minutes apart, every four hours. This went on for two weeks straight.
If you’ve ever cared for a sick animal like this, you might already know how bonded you become with the animal you’re taking care of! By the time Shoelace was healthy, her mom had fallen in love, and knew she had to bring her home.
Shoelace was a special cat from the start. She had two other siblings who were terrified of people, but in her condition, she was helpless on the streets. Her mom believes that she knew they were there to help her, because she was very trusting for a feral kitten!
Within days, she was climbing up her mom’s neck, rubbing against her and purring. Her mom said that, “Straight away she knew how to charm people, for sure.”
Of course, bringing Shoelace all the way from Egypt to Europe wasn’t a simple process. Her mom says it was very long-winded, and took about four months
She needed veterinary paperwork, vaccines, and bloodwork sent to European labs. Once this was complete, Shoelace’s mom fretted about what the long journey would be like for her–but that ended up being the easy part! Shoelace wasn’t even scared of all the new experiences, just curious.
Caring for Blind Cats
Image Credit: The Cat Chronicles
There isn’t much difference between caring for a blind cat versus a sighted cat, Shoelace’s mom says. Shoelace is able to get around well, and behaves like any other cat her age. It certainly doesn’t stop her from causing mischief!
Blind cats can be a bit clumsier, on account of not being able to see their surroundings. They may bump into things or accidentally fall off of furniture, especially in unfamiliar environments. Experts recommend not changing the layout of your home very often if you have a blind cat, since they rely partially on their memory to get around.
That said, Shoelace’s mom hopes that her story will inspire others to adopt special needs cats. If you’re undecided, she says, it’s well worth the effort.
Many people find the prospect of caring for disabled cats intimidating, which makes them less likely to get adopted–even though they may only need a few simple accommodations to live a full, healthy life.
Shoelace’s mom also points out that cats adapt well to things like disabilities, and that providing the extra care they need can help strengthen the bond between human and cat.
The experience isn’t for everybody, but it can be incredibly rewarding!
