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Let me start this by saying I know nothing about the 1998 cartoon series ‘The Powerpuff Girls” other than recognizing their images. But when easily researched, found them to be super-heroes born from a scientist in an attempt to create the “perfect little girl” using a mixture of “sugar, spice and everything nice“.
The three girls all have abnormally large eyes (inspired by Margaret Keane‘s art[8]) and stubby arms and legs, and lack of noses, ears, fingers, necks, and flat feet with toes ([creator] McCracken preferred them to look more symbolic of actual girls rather than going for a “realistic” look, meaning fewer body parts were needed[9]).
So it made perfect sense to see their names, Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup given to these sweet sisters. Clearly it was because these female kittens who were absolutely created from the same ingredients so-to-speak. However these young felines also DID have some interesting body parts; Blossom is polydactyl and has 22 toes and all three were showing signs of eye issues.
The Powerpuff Girls Arrive in Foster Care
On May 11, 2024, three kittens were welcomed into the home of Alyssa DeHart, who fosters in Orlando, Florida through Liberation Cat House. The sickly little girls were abandoned outside of a vets office and left in a box. And they were not in good shape.
All three were suffering from urine scalding from sitting in their own filth, Buttercup having it the worst. Alyssa could tell they all had something going on with their eyes that would have to be addressed eventually. As with most animals abandoned in Florida in the summer, they had URIs and conjunctivitis too. But at least they were in a loving home with a fosterer who was the superhero they so desperately needed.
The Powerpuff Girls at 4 months
The girls were put on antibiotics and right away started feeling better. They were eating and gaining weight which is always a concern with kittens. Infections began clearing up and some gorgeous tortoiseshell colored kittens emerged. Poor Buttercup was dealing with a paw injury that turned out her little toe was possibly “crushed/ripped off” and would maybe need to be amputated. However, it became clear that the eye issues were going to be much more concerning, and Blossom and Bubbles had the worst of those.
The great news is that through her social media fostering pages, Alyssa was able to help. She raised enough funds for the Powerpuff Girls to see the ophthalmologist, the first step towards a bright future.
Buttercup and Bubbles are missing about a third of their eyelids — a condition called eyelid agenesis. The concern with this condition is that the hairs may poke and irritate their eyes since they have no eyelids for protection. Thankfully, since the girls still have most of their eyelids, this is not a problem right now. Bubbles has some minor irritation (but no ulcers) and Buttercup has no irritation whatsoever. We’ll have to see how this condition changes as they grow — but the ophthalmologist is hopeful that there will continue to be no problems, and that they won’t require surgery in the future!
Blossom has underdeveloped and sunken eyes — a condition called microphthalmia. She also has eyelid agenesis, but that’s not really relevant considering her eyes are not in the vicinity of her eyelids.They said Blossom is most likely blind, though I do think she can see a little. Or her other senses are just really heightened, and compensating well for her lack of vision! Regardless, she shouldn’t need any eye procedures — she’s just special!
By June, It Was Time to Start Taking Applications
With a special note that each of the Powerpuff Girls would need follow up visits with the eye doctor, the application process began. Because who doesn’t want a fluffy supurr-hero of their own?!
From left to right we have Buttercup, Blossom, & Bubbles.
Buttercup is ridiculously outgoing & funny. She has the sweetest, most inquisitive face. And she’s totally cross-eyed! She’s the leader of the pack, and is always the first to try something new. She has eyelid agenesis — continue reading to find out more.
A Powerpuff Girl Finds a Home to Purrtect
On June 18th, Alyssa was happy to report that little Buttercup had been the first to find her official adopter. All three girls had their Spay surgeries scheduled for the 21st so could be welcomed into new homes after. And at Buttercups new home, she was going to have another surprise!
She’ll have a twin kitty sister named Lulu (swipe to see) to be her new BFF! Buttercup is so brave and independent, so I know this is a great fit for her. She doesn’t head home until later next week, but I’m super excited for her and her new mom!
But Blossom and Bubbles were headed down another path to find their purrfect superhero lair. Alyssa made the wise decision to “paws” their applications as their eyes were re-evaluated now that the sisters were a bit older. And what they decided to do what going to keep them in her care for a bit longer.
Today we saw a new ophthalmologist that said Bubbles is the ideal candidate for this [cryotherapy] procedure. She’s actually missing half of her eyelids, and some long, stiff hairs are poking her eyes as a result — which is why she’s a squinty little baby. The cryotherapy will freeze off these irritating hairs. She will be the ideal size for this minor surgery in about a month, so she’ll be hanging out with me and her sissy until then.Bubbles and Blossom are inseparable, so Blossom tagged along as moral support for the ophthalmology appointment today. We were talking about the genetic eye issues within this litter, and the ophthalmologist took a quick look at Blossom. We already knew Blossom has microphthalmia and eyelid agenesis, but we didn’t think the eyelid agenesis was much of a problem since her eyes are so far sunken in and underdeveloped. The ophthalmologist said her eye hairs can still be problematic, so we’re going to schedule her own exam to further discuss this.
A Busy Month & Surgery for the Powerpuff Girls
On August 1st, a second opinion for Blossom confirmed her need for surgery.
It was confirmed today that Blossom has absolutely zero vision. I really thought she could see *something* but it turns out she’s just *really* well adapted since she was born this way. Unfortunately, Blossom’s eyes have become super irritated and red over the last couple weeks — swipe to see. ICYMI, Blossom has microphthalmia and eyelid agenesis. She’s missing a large portion of her eyelids, which means she can’t protect her eyes or blink out all kinds of debris. As she’s grown, she’s also gotten a lot more hairs poking that exposed eye tissue. These would be lifelong, very uncomfortable issues for Blossom, so it was recommended we move forward with a double enucleation. Blossom is scheduled for surgery on August 13th, where she will have her microscopic eyes removed.
On August 7th, Bubbles had her cryotherapy procedure. Although she wasn’t thrilled, she felt much better afterwards. 
On August 13th, Blossom underwent her double enucleation surgery. True to her loving demeanor, she even made giant polydactyl biscuits on Alyssa on the way home, purring contently. 
By this time, the girls had strengthened their bond and counted on each other more and more. Which to Alyssa made her next decision clear – they would need to be adopted together.
Will You Give the Powerpuff Girls a Furever Home?
Now these stunning superheroes are ready to find their furever home! With Blossom having “0 eyes, 22 toes” and 1 seeing eye-cat of her own, what more could you want!? PLEASE VISIT Alyssa’s IG @ ORLANDOFOSTERKITTENS for more information on adopting.
Bubbles and Blossom are looking for a forever home together. The adoption fee for both girls is $150. They are spayed, microchipped, negative for FIV and FeLV, and fully vaccinated. They would do best in a home with limited other pets, as Blossom is cautious around furry friends she does not recognize.
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