Brookline Family Adopts Homeless Kitten Born Without Eyelids

Phil, a kitten who was born without upper eyelids, warmed hearts a month back when he received sight-saving surgery.

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell Animal Medical Center, the organization responsible for the kitten’s surgery, announced last Thursday that Phil was adopted by a loving family in Brookline, MA.

Alyssa Krieger, manager of the organization’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center, came across Phil at the Boston ACAC in Roslindale, MA in late-November. She agreed to take the kitten back to the MSPCA and booked a consultation with Dr. Martin Coster of the Angell Ophthalmology team.

The surgery, which was paid for through the MSPCA’s Spike’s Fund, was performed on December 9. Phil had a condition called agenesis, which caused extreme eye irritation and would have resulted in blindness over time as the three-month-old kitten got older.

“The tissue of the upper lip, as it so happens, is similar in form and function to eyelid tissue,” said Rob Halpin, MSPCA-Angell Public Relations Director. “Dr. Coster of Angell’s Ophthalmology team surgically removed some of the lip tissue and attached it to the muscles of the eyelid.”

Halpin also said there will be no long-term damage to Phil’s lips or mouth.

Phil was taken in after the surgery, alongside “best feline friend” Vixen, to await adoption. They were then separated so Phil’s wounds could heal. The pair was then happily reunited before joining the Vazirani family in Brookline.

“We visited the MSPCA and immediately upon entry I saw Phil,” said Sarah Vazirani, the mother of the family who took the kitten in.

“He was absolutely adorable and those eyes [are] irresistible. We spent some time with other cats but kept coming back to his cage.”

Varizani intended on adopting one cat but was hesitant to separate Phil and Vixen.

“After spending about an hour observing them, I realized it would be heartbreaking to separate them as they have a very unusual bond that is so endearing. They have a real mother-son type of bond even though he is not her real son.”

Varizani also let her kids choose new names for the duo. Phil is now known as “Binky” and Vixen was renamed to “Bumby.”

Rob Halpin said Phil, or Binky, finally has a family because of the initial buzz surrounding his triumphant surgery.

“We could never do the work we do without you guys,” he said. “I’m forever grateful. He’s in a new home because of calls we received from Patch readers. No doubt!”

“Phil is a very lucky kitten in many ways,” Sarah Vazirani added. “I’d like to thank the MSPCA and all of the work they do.”

And those wondering about the kitten’s newfound domestic life should smile at Sarah’s report.

“He follows us around from room to room and will cry if he can’t find us. He chases the kids around the house like a dog. He is truly the most wonderful, mild-mannered, good-natured kitten you could ask for. We are so in love.”

Photos via MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center.

Photo 1, from left: five-year-old Maxx, mom Sarah and four-year-old Dia pictured with their new fuzzy friend Phil. Vixen was still recovering from being spayed when the photo was taken. Photo 2: A tired Phil in action.