Be an Angel for Charlie's Recovery

Charlie is looking for some angels!

11-month-old Charlie is just one of 19 kittens rescued from a Rochester, New York managed cat colony where the feeder is working with rescue partners to TNVR feral cats and find adopters for the homeless, vulnerable kittens. After vetting to neuter him and vaccinate, Charlie was adopted in December.

As Charlie's previous foster mom, I got an emergency call from the family saying that Charlie likely had broken a limb and they could not afford diagnostics and treatment. Charlie was surrendered by the owners to me and I assumed responsibility for him so he would not be euthanized and so I could pursue immediate pain relief for him and diagnostics.

Charlie was in pain and needed immediate emergency care. He was treated for pain and underwent diagnostics to determine the extent of his injury. Dr. MacCormick, DVM Orthopedic Surgeon, discussed the best and really only viable option for a complete fracture break of his humerus (arm) bone, which was embedded in the muscle, was to repair with a plate and screws. The estimate for this surgery was over $9,000.00. No rescue could pay that, and the family had not even been able to afford X-rays. Another hospital was called, hoping for a less expensive option, but the estimate was very similar. It was not a good option for Charlie to move him and drive 3 hours to that other hospital that would not have a surgeon for 3 days in the future. The other options were euthanize or a full amputation of his limb (which was a less costly option).

I was in quite a bind after hearing this news as I had now taken back responsibility for Charlie, for whom I was very attached as he had lived with me in foster care for about 5 months from the time he was just a few months old. My heart was breaking from seeing him in that condition, and I just could not in good conscience choose any other option but to pay to repair this injury as he was a very healthy kitten less than a year old. Charlie is an absolute sweetheart and deserves to live the best quality of a hopefully long life. I chose to go ahead with the surgery despite this being a huge financial burden and not having any idea how I would be able to pay for this level of veterinary specialty care. My hope was that I would take a leap of faith and trust that kind, dedicated animal-loving family, friends, fellow rescuers, and maybe even strangers would choose to contribute to Charlie's surgery cost through a GoFundMe. I don't like asking for help, but this situation leaves me with no other choice. Charlie's life is worth far more than a bit of my minor discomfort in asking for assistance with his medical bills.

Thank you for reading his story, and whether or not you choose to contribute to this GoFundMe, please send loving, healing thoughts our way. Charlie will be spending the next 8 weeks in a cage with restrictions on his movement, pain meds, and of course lots of love and attention. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Can you be one of Charlie's angels?