It is a miracle this one-year-old cat made it this far on his own, negotiating the unpredictable terrain of the big wide world, without any vision. No doubt he would have been living in constant fear and on high alert for potential hazards, never able to relax or let his guard down.

Fortunately he was found by our rescue team and brought to the safety of our Lonsdale shelter. He soon won the hearts of our vets, who named him after their favourite cheese, “because he is sweet and slightly nutty – and of course a distinguished young man, hence the Mister”.

Upon examination, our vet team diagnosed him with cataracts in both eyes and suspected micropthalmia, a malformation that makes his eyes smaller than normal. Sadly, he was born with these conditions, which have resulted in his blindness.

This beautiful boy has lived his whole life in the dark. We want to give him the precious gift of sight, and a second chance at life.

The nature of his condition required us to seek the specialist expertise of Dr Tony Read, an external vet ophthalmologist. Dr Read has reported that Mr Jarlsberg’s prognosis for fully restored sight is strong if he undergoes surgery to remove the cataracts.

Many cats gradually lose their sight as they approach old age. But for this young cat, just over a year old, to miss out on the joy of sight for his whole life is simply tragic. Especially when his condition is treatable, and his eyesight is recoverable.