The bonded 3-month-olds have been inseparable since they were brought in to the Dunedin SPCA in a terrible condition.
SPCA feline team leader Robbie Arnison said they both had cat flu, which had badly infected the dynamic duo’s eyes.
"One of Tabitha’s eyeballs was already ruptured and she didn’t have sight in the other one, so the vets removed both of her eyes."
One of Hope’s eyes was also affected, but both her eyes were able to be saved.
While some may say it would have been more humane to euthanise Tabitha, it was very clear to staff that she would still have a great quality of life, Mr Arnison said.
"She didn’t seem to have any trouble finding her food, water, litter tray, she continued to play with other kittens and her toy mouse — which she loves — and we didn’t see any reason to put her down.
"She’s a happy-go-lucky wee girl, playful, affectionate, friendly and curious.
He said her hearing, sense of smell and her whiskers had gone into overdrive, to help make up for her loss of sight, and when people or other cats entered the room, she was able to point her head directly at them.
"If you didn’t know she didn’t have eyes, you would think she is just a normal kitten.
"She’ll be looking towards me and meowing at breakfast and dinner time, trying to get my attention.
"You certainly won’t be able to hide the cat treats from her — she’ll sniff them out."
Mr Arnison said Hope had helped Tabitha adapt to her life without sight by being "a sort of safety blanket" for her.
"They snuggle up together when they’re sleeping, they play together and just having a friend to hang out with, I think that is having a really big positive impact on Tabitha.
"We see Hope as Tabitha’s seeing-eye cat. She senses where Hope is and she follows her around," he said.
Just like any other kittens, Tabitha and Hope are up for adoption from the SPCA, and it is recommended they go together to their new home.
In a new house, Hope would help to make Tabitha feel secure in her environment and show her danger areas, what she could and could not climb on, as well as the locations of food, water, litter trays and toys, he said.
It would not take very long for her to be able to navigate her way around a new house on her own, with that initial support.
He said Tabitha was a very affectionate cat, and she would prove the old adage to be true — that love actually is blind.
