Matcha the Magic Cat's End of Life Costs

On the 30th of December 2023, 16 year old Matcha the Magic Cat, a Scottish Fold rescue cat with a congenital heart condition and breed related arthritis died suddenly.

Despite insuring Matcha as an elderly indoor cat 8 years ago - and paying extra to cover putting her to sleep and cremation so I didn't have to worry about finance on her death - the insurance company has refused to pay out.

I'm left in desperate need to raise funds to cover her final costs.

Her loss and this unexpected financial burden is a devastating blow after two years of bad luck. Major abdominal surgery, a fractured shoulder, multiple losses of friends and new family caring responsibilities leading to the sudden death of my mother just four weeks after my cat has found me unable to work as much and my income is now non-existent.

I tried my best to keep my beautiful little friend pain free and happy. January 7th would have been Matcha's 17th birthday. She lived longer than anyone imagined and had a perfect retirement via a healthy diet, costly arthritis medicine and ramps all over my flat.

It was how she managed to make it onto my bed at 6am to wake me up and tell me she wasn’t well.

She'd gone blind, was vomiting non-stop and crying out, but she was quiet when she felt my hand on her and heard me talking. We cuddled up on a soft nest of pillows and blankets waiting hours for the emergency vet to arrive.

I was so grateful to know I had special insurance so I didn't have to worry about the extra cost of a home visit particularly on a holiday weekend, and that she didn't have to go outside to an animal hospital and suffer more.

The vet said it was a blood clot that paralysed her back legs and caused her blindness, so we put her to sleep while I cuddled her and she passed peacefully.

I hadn’t cried in years and didn’t even cry when she died because I knew I’d done the best I could for her, but I burst into tears on the phone to the insurance company a few days later when they told me they weren’t paying out.

They hit me with small print about cause of death and age at death. Yet I had read the policy over and over when I signed up and renewed every year after.

I'm so thankful to live in a safe environment when so many people don't, surrounded by love, knowing my family will never let me be homeless if I had to sell my home and I know we are all struggling in this hideous cost of living crisis. But if there’s anyone that can spare a pound or two to help me pay this final, totally unexpected vet bill, I’d be forever grateful.

As traumatic as Matcha's death was - she was my only company for months during all of the lockdowns - I hope to adopt another senior and/or disabled cat, as I know I’d be able to give them a loving end of life and they’re often ignored at shelters.

If by some amazing chance this appeal goes above target or that somehow I manage to win what looks to be a long, hard fight with the insurance company, I’ll donate the surplus to a cat rescue, or make an emergency fund for my next senior or special needs cat.

Thank you for taking the time to read this

Blue xxx