Waggle Foundation, Inc.

Tommy Tom-Tom is in pain and needs ear surgery. He came into our lives and our home in July 2023. We found that two years before that his owners moved and left him. Tommy is a best friend and emotional support cat to our other cat who is diabetic. Paul also was a stray. Tommy looked like a huge tomcat, so we named him Tommy Tom-Tom. Tommy has 2 two-legged friends, me and my husband. His best buddy is Paul, the diabetic cat. Tommy is very gentle for a large cat, and loves the company of people. He is a lap cat and a good friend to my husband who is a retired vet with a very bad back. Tommy has a plastic tube toy that he carries while meowing so loudly that one time I thought he was hurt. He loves, loves cat t.v. Tommy suffered with an infestation of ear mites that he endured for over 2 years. When we first saw him his ears were packed with black crusty mites and from scratching he was bleeding way down his neck. This caused a severe infection that has turned into a cancerous tumor in the ear canal. Different medications alleviate some of the pain, but the tumor must be removed and the sooner the better. I am currently an unemployed caregiver since my client just passed away.. My husband drove for a transport service transporting disabled and mentally challenged adults to day care. He hurt his back and is going through physical therapy at this time. We have social security.

We rescued Nirvana in December of 2024. We found out soon after he has FHV-1 and a weakened immune system. He's a total mom to our other cat, Willow. Nirvana loves to run around the house, chase his jingle ball, and feast on tuna and salmon treats. Nirvana has his own favorite shows, including H2O: Just Add Water, and loves when me or my partner play violin or guitar for him. He's the type that follows us around the house, purring and accompanying us throughout the day. He's always waiting by the door when we get home. Nirvana recently came down with an inexplicably high fever, and was hospitalized for a week in critical condition. After finally getting him to a specialist, we found out he has FIP. In order to keep him alive, and afford the new medicine, we need help. Nirvana can't survive without the medicine he needs, and with FIP, the newly developed medicine has a 90% success rate for survival. If he doesn't receive these meds, it could be fatal in a matter of weeks. Even if it's small, anything helps us and we greatly appreciate it. We want to keep our baby alive, healthy, and safe.

Wolfie (short for Wolfgang) and his two siblings, Muffy and Birdie, were born in a motel. We retrieved all three kittens with the intention of keeping two but quickly fell in love with them all. They were only 6 weeks old, too young to leave their mom, so they remained very bonded to each other; particularly Wolfie and Birde. Wolfie is still a big baby and especially bonded to his sister Birdie. Wolfie is the most vocal of our furbabies and must involve himself in all our kitchen activities. We jokingly call him "beggar kitty" because he cannot get enough treats. Our 5-pound chihuahua, Joy has been a mother to Wolfie and his siblings since they came to us. Although Wolfie and his siblings are very big in size, they still allow Joy to scold them when she sees fit and give them baths. Wolfie is a big baby and doesn't mind letting everyone know that he requires the most love and attention! Wolfie had an adverse reaction to topical flea treatment and became lethargic and uninterested in his regular activities. It quickly became evident that Wolfie's health was in decline. We rushed him to eastern Carolina Veterinary Referral and discovered Wolfie was in critical condition diagnosed with pyothorax. He remains in critical care, but his prognosis for survival is positive. We both became unemployed in the last six months. Our family of 3 is now on government assistance to cover food and health care. When Wolfie became sick we were devastated and heartbroken. We would do anything to help Wolfie live the long and happy life that he so deserves.

Joey was by my side from two months old. He was healthy until, at six, he suddenly stopped moving and eating. Rushed to the ER, I found out his heartbeat was barely detectable, and without immediate treatment costing $8,000, he would die within hours. I begged them to save him.

After 24 hours, I got the best news: it was Addison’s disease. Though serious, it was treatable. Following four days in the ICU, daily prednisone, and monthly cortisol shots, Joey lived another 10 amazing years, reaching 16.5—outliving the average puggle.

I know I was fortunate to have the resources to care for him. Many families face the impossible choice to euthanize beloved pets simply because they can’t afford treatment. Joey’s care totaled over $15,000, but I’d do it all over again.

With the anniversary of his passing approaching, I want to honor Joey by helping others. I found a foundation that supports families facing sudden, overwhelming medical bills for treatable conditions. It breaks my heart that pets can be lost simply due to cost.

This GoFundMe is to raise funds in Joey’s memory to help families keep their pets alive and loved. Your contribution could save lives and keep pets by their families' sides, just like Joey stayed by mine.