My name is Nathan Ballingrud, and this is my 15 year old cat Athena. She has been hit by a car and needs her hind-leg amputated.

Her story:

Athena lived with me as a kitten, and she was microchipped then. She went to live with a neighbor after she was about a year old; she had bonded with the neighbors cat and for months spent all of her time over there, rarely coming home at all. It was like they fell in love. I didn't know cats could bond with other cats that way. When it was time to move a few months later, the neighbor and I agreed to let her stay on with them. It made me sad to let her go, but it was a good home and I knew she was happy there.

Fourteen years later -- just a few weeks ago -- I got a call from Animal Control in Virginia. Athena had been found in a culvert, hind leg broken, emaciated, covered in fleas. My name and number was the only one on the chip.

I drove five hours out to where she was, got a hotel room for the night, and picked her up the next morning. We are unable to find her owners. I'm heartbroken at her situation but thrilled to have her back in my life, and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure her final years are peaceful, safe, and full of love.

Athena is strong and spry for a 15 year old cat with a bum leg. She east voraciously, cuddles hard, and spends as much time as she can sleeping in my lap. She has a strong will to live. I just need a little help paying for the surgery which will see her comfortable again. Thank you!