‘Vampire’ Kittens With Rare Condition Who Cannot Be Touched By Sunlight Get Adopted By Purrrfect Pet Parents

It isn't often two cats in need of a forever home come across the perfect setting, especially when they can't be touched by sunlight. Although the situation is as rare as their condition, they now can bask in the dusk, happy to be able to begin a journey to what, hopefully, is a long life.

A few months ago, two kittens survived a harrowing rescue from the wilds of Oahu, Hawai'i, only to be identified as carriers of erythropoietic porphyria (EPP), a rare hereditary condition often known as "Vampire Disease."

Posted by Alex Lemieux

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EPP causes hemolytic anemia triggering the destruction of red blood cells, and abnormal byproducts accumulate in the skin, causing extreme sensitivity to UV light.

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The disease is so rare that many veterinarians have never seen an example. Caring for cats that cannot encounter sunlight is undoubtedly a daunting task for adopters.

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However, the duo met their match as two pet parents expressed interest in them as they have the perfect home to facilitate their needs.

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Katrina Johnson was on vacation with her mom on Oahu when they met Chris, the owner of Lucky Paws Animal Foundation. He and his team of volunteers had been caring for the two kittens, Dracula and Akasha, after Rescue Kitties of Hawai'i (RKH) facilitated their rescue in June.

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Recently, Lucky Paws opened a brick-and-mortar location where they can now care for more cats and other animals, using their ability to kennel pets while owners are on vacation to fund the rescue side of the operation.

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After getting to know Dracula and Akasha at the Lucky Paws rehabilitation center, Katrina fell in love with them. After expressing her interest in the two and traveling back to California, Chris connected with her and her husband to begin setting up the adoption process.

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"Unsurprisingly, it's a hard sell for people," she said. Not many people can dedicate themselves to ensuring sunlight doesn't get in the house.

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However, they already have that covered. Their home couldn't be more perfect.

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"We have a goth aesthetic, so our house is pretty dark," Katrina explained. "We don't mind putting up a UV-protective screen on the windows to make sure the cats stay safe."

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The photosensitivity caused by EPP severely harms cats. In Dracula and Akasha's case, it's likely their mother also suffered from the genetic aliment as she had open wounds on her body when RKH rescued her.

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The kittens also beat Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) after an initial aggressive treatment. Yet, there's no known cure for EPP.

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"As far as we can tell, they're basically normal aside from their blood count," Katrina added. "They're very playful, very healthy."

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Veterinarians have Dracula and Akasha on a special, nutrient-rich diet. They're also prescribed supplemental Vitamin C for strengthening their immune systems.

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"We want to help them live the longest life they can," she said. "They're so sweet. They just want to get pet and lay on your lap. "

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