Don't pass up getting yourself a blind kitten. These kittens can do just about anything their sighted counterparts can do, even catch flies. They have such acute senses that they act like any other kitten. Because they can't see things that frighten sighted kittens, they are fearless. Don't be surprised if, within a week of coming home, your blind kitten is scaling a 6-foot cat tree in a single bound.

If you adopt a blind kitten, bring her home and start her out in a safe room so that she can establish her own little territory before being introduced to the rest of the house. You also need to kitty-proof the house even more than you would with a sighted kitten. Get down on your hands and knees and see what kind of mischief she could get into. Make sure every little crevice is blocked and install childproof locks on the cabinets. Here are some additional ideas:

• Keep the toilet lid closed. Blind kittens are extremely inquisitive. You don't want your kitten climbing inside and drowning.
• Never rearrange furniture, and don't move the kitten's food bowl or litter box. Blind kittens memorize the layout of the house by marking it with their scent glands — the friendly facial pheromones, not the gross peepee kind.
• Pad the legs of furniture to protect her head if she occasionally bumps into them.
• Never let a blind kitten outside without supervision. Even with heightened senses, she's no match for a predator.
• When playing, use toys with bells, squeakers, and crinkles that allow her to chase after them. And make sure she plays in an open area so she doesn't slam into anything.