Q: I recently read a great book on the subject of a blind cat and now I'm wondering where I can adopt an animal with special needs. Any thoughts?

A: You must have read Homer's Odyssey! In case you didn't notice the foreword, this bestselling story of a blind cat originated in Miami when I removed his tiny, infected eyes as a kitten. Now he's a teenage beauty of a feline living in New York City who has managed to inspire thousands of animal lovers like you to look beyond their pets' superficial imperfections.

While I'm pleased his story has moved you to consider adopting a similarly challenged animal, consider that a ``handicapped'' animal like Homer is not for every household. Blind cats need constant surveillance, attention to household details like balcony access and kitchen hazards, extreme vigilance around doorways and -- in most cases, though not Homer's -- expensive veterinary care.

In fact, households that take on extremely needy pets like Homer typically find that these animals require much more time, attention, expense and hard work than they ever expected. That's why households with small children, economic challenges, numerous other pets, a high activity level, frequent guests or a large number of residents should be especially leery of adopting animals with known disabilities.

Nevertheless, it can be argued that adopted pets whose owners spend inordinate amounts of time caring for them, relative to traditional pets, are more bonded to their owners and are, consequently, more satisfying companions.

If you are truly interested in adopting a pet with special needs, you should know that almost any animal hospital can point you in the direction of a pet that will be euthanized unless one or more health issues are resolved. Older pets whose owners have passed, stray pets that have suffered trauma, pets with chronic diseases whose owners cannot afford them -- all these needy examples can be sourced through your veterinarian.

But consider that as long as our shelters abound with animals of every description seeking homes in lieu of death, every single stray should be considered a special needs animal worthy of your attention. After all, an animal need not be blind or otherwise obviously impaired to fall into the category of ``desperately needy.''

If you want more first-hand information on this, join Gwen Cooper, author of Homer's Odyssey, at 8 p.m. Sept. 25 at Books & Books in Coral Gables. I'll be there, too, in case you have any more questions.

Dr. Patty Khuly has a veterinary practice in South Miami and blogs at www.dolittler.com. Send questions to khulyp@bellsouth.net, or Dr. Dolittler, Tropical Life, The Miami Herald, 1 Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132.

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