Hi all, this is my cat Persephone, who means the whole world to me. She officially came into my life on September 4th of 2019, after months of working with Brooklyn Animal Action to adopt her.

I have struggled with my mental health my whole life and wanted a companion who I could love unconditionally and help me the best me. When looking at cats up for adoption, I immediately fell in love with her. She had been up for adoption for awhile despite how beautiful and kind she is-I found out that, while only being 2 years old she already had kittens (is now spayed) and they were adopted before her. Sometime before the adoption agency took her into their care she had most likely been hit by a car which broke a few of her ribs, caused a ruptured diaphragm and for her internal organs to shift in the space of her left lung. Brooklyn animal action received some kind of grant and was able to provide her with surgery that fixed the rupture diaphragm and helped re inflate her lung. 

Her initial medical records: 

https://ibb.co/0cC0RZd

https://ibb.co/ZMqGW3V

https://ibb.co/g3n3CMS

https://ibb.co/NL90jRc *

I knew immediately that Persephone was the cat for me. I wanted to help this cat who I could understand from a trauma standpoint point and give her the best possible life I could. Brooklyn animal action as well as myself were told she may have some breathing issues but the surgery was an overall success. In the the time that I’ve had her I’ve always made sure to have some kind of pet insurance just incase she has any issues. In the past year and change Persephone and I have both been able to help each other grow. She means the absolute world to me, I sit with her for every meal (or else she won’t eat), she sleeps tucked in my armpit (likes the warmth?) and even wakes me up for work.

On Thursday 12/09, during the workday Persephone was taking a nap-I work from home so she’s usually nearby. At around 2:00pm I heard a strangled gurgling sound from her, she had woken up in a panic and was wheezing intensely. I sent a short video to my vet who advised me to take her to an emergency center. 

At 3pm, we had gotten to the Emergency Center. They put her in an oxygen tank, I told the doctors of her prior health issues and my concerns and we ran some tests. 

Image of her X-ray: https://ibb.co/FBvmGyX

The results were not good, as you can see the X-ray is showing large abnormalities on the left hand side; her diaphragm had ruptured again. The doctor did a quick ultrasound on her left hand side and we were able to see that the spleen, small intestines and maybe the liver were shifting up into her lung area. The emergency center didn’t have the equipment to do a CT scan but warned me that it would be necessary to confirm the damage and that she would most likely need life saving corrective surgery that could potentially be up to 10,000. 

Her ER report: https://ibb.co/xgHsqtd

We immediately took Persephone to the Animal Medical Center-the hospital that had actually performed the surgery prior to me adopting her. We arrived there at about 5pm, she was taken in and the doctors did a quick CT scan (I do not have that imaging, I apologize) which confirmed the organs shifting up into her lung area. The doctor at the hospital broke everything down for me and stated the estimated the surgery she needed was going to be over 10,000 and in order to start the procedure I had to put down a deposit of 5,000. I began to panic, I don’t have that kind of money. The hospital gave me two possible loans I could apply to, to at least get the deposit down, and despite an upcoming move knowing this would affect my credit I applied for both. I was denied. 

But, I have pet insurance! This is why I have it right? I currently have trupanion, I called about the situation and a rep started a critical preauth for me around 6pm. Normally in a situation like this, I would pay first and trupanion would reimburse me. I spoke with the front desk and they were willing to send over the records to the insurance and write up an estimate for the surgery so that the insurance could at least pay that down payment and we could get the process started.

I waited for hours. The whole time, not able to see Persephone, not getting updates on how she was and unfortunately alone in the emergency waiting room. 

At around 9:45, I finally received an update. Trupanion will not cover this procedure, at all despite Persephone needing this in order to live. I was told I would have to pay for a life saving surgery that was estimated to be over 10,000. 

Denial letter: https://ibb.co/dKw842Z **

I had to take her back home, as the hospital would not keep her or begin the procedure without a 5,000  deposit. 

I am begging you for help if you can afford it, she means the absolute world to me and I would do anything for her. If we cannot get this surgery done, we will most likely have to put her down. She is all I have. 

I know this time of year is tough and Covid has also affected everyone so even if you can only spare a dollar, everything helps. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to donate and for sharing this. I wish I had the words to express my gratitude but just thank you all from the bottom of my heart

* The personal information of the volunteer from Brooklyn animal action has been censored for their privacy and safety

** My address, as well as my dead (currently legal) name has been censored for my privacy and safety. Thank you for understanding.