6 min read Teen Reads 'Harry Potter' To Blind Shelter Cat Every Day Until He Trusts Him "They’ve definitely formed a special bond.”

The “Harry Potter” novels have made a lot of lives a bit more magical — and that includes one special cat from Virginia named Stevie Wonder. Stevie, who is blind, arrived at the Richmond SPCA from a busy city shelter in March. He was originally found wandering the streets all alone — so the new environment was really overwhelming for him. He hid almost all day and would rarely eat.

Candace Morgan Photography

Things got a bit better when the shelter decided to transfer 5-year-old Stevie to a group living area to live alongside other cats. He was still easily startled when it came to people — but in May, he met someone who would go the extra mile to help him: Price McIntyre, a 19-year-old shelter volunteer. McIntyre took a particular liking to Stevie, and drummed up a mission to help the cat become more comfortable around people: He would start reading to him.

McIntyre reading to Stevie Wonder | Richmond SPCA

“The SPCA has little Hogwarts decorations everywhere and I thought, "OK, if I were to pick a series to read him, it'd be ‘Harry Potter,’” McIntyre told The Dodo. After all, Stevie had already been “sorted” into a Hogwarts House of his own: Hufflepuff. An employee had started the initiative of sorting cats into houses to give potential adopters a fun way to learn more about the personalities of each animal. Hufflepuffs are associated with loyalty and patience — and luckily, McIntyre had plenty of both for Stevie.

Stevie Wonder with his Hufflepuff ID | Richmond SPCA

“The first time I met Stevie, he was really not too interested in interacting with me,” he said. “I kept visiting him until he started warming up to me, which took a few weeks.” Each day, McIntyre returned to see Stevie and simply read to him for a few hours each time. Stevie held onto every word — and clearly began enjoying the company. After a couple weeks, he would snuggle right up to McIntyre to listen closely to the story.

Stevie Wonder cuddled up next to the book | Richmond SPCA

Now, McIntyre visits almost every day like clockwork for his special reading date with Stevie. And on Fridays, he comes dressed to the nines in full Hufflepuff robes. Stevie is not only comfortable around McIntyre now, but has also started warming up to other people, too.

McIntyre reading to Stevie Wonder in his room | Richmond SPCA

“He’s a very affectionate cat, but he likes to come to you first,” Tabitha Treloar, communications director for the rescue, told The Dodo. “Price has done wonders for Stevie Wonder in helping him become a little more outgoing. They’ve definitely formed a special bond.” By now, Stevie has also gained enough confidence to fully explore the cat room — and he’s so confident about it that some people might not even realize at first that he’s blind.

Richmond SPCA

“He’s really learned to navigate his entire space,” Treloar said. “He jumps onto the raised platforms throughout the room, knows where his food is and finds the litter box with no problems. He’s really comfortable.” Since he’s become so close with Stevie, McIntyre is hoping to be able to adopt him in the near future.

Richmond SPCA

“As soon as I get the green light from my mother, I’m marching there and adopting him,” McIntyre said. Until then, the pair will continue to make their way through the “Harry Potter” series — learning together just how far a bit of bravery and friendship can take them.

Richmond SPCA