A PAIR of kittens saved by a Cross Roads-based charity have amazed staff, volunteers and vets with their resilience.

Yorkshire Cat Rescue took in the kittens, one blind and the other partially sighted, and placed them with one of its foster carers.

Siblings Harth and Erin, who were four-weeks old when they were rescued, had severe eye infections.

Yorkshire Cat Rescue foster carer Sheila Pepper, who has looked after the pair, said neither kitten had been properly socialised, so she decided to accommodate another rescue kitten – Fawkes – to teach Harth and Erin valuable life skills.

"Within a week, all three were playing together and my two little siblings were behaving like normal, happy kittens," said Sheila.

Yorkshire Cat Rescue centre manager Sam Davies said: "Kittens need the company of other cats during the first few months of their lives to learn the basic social skills they need to enjoy their lives alongside humans.

"Erin and Harth had missed out initially, but their age was on their side and they clearly had the right attitude to get on with life."

Sadly, despite efforts to treat the infections, vets were unable to save Erin's eyes.

Sam said: "We've kept a close eye on both kittens, and consulted with our vet about their treatment and whether we'd be able to offer them a good quality of life.

"Finally, after Erin's surgery, she gave the all-clear and said Erin definitely deserved the chance to grow up. It was a huge relief to hear that she was happy in herself and not in any pain."

The kittens are now back with their foster carer while Yorkshire Cat Rescue searches for a permanent home for them.