Hello! I'm a young adult making a fresh start in college after recently achieving my GED. I've had my cats, Pepper and Tapioca, since I adopted Pepper in 2023 and since Tapioca was born in 2024.

In the past three years, we've moved a lot and have been in unfortunately desperate situations involving smoke-heavy households, resulting in Pepper developing asthma and Tapioca also experiencing milder respiratory symptoms. These sweet beasts are fighters, and we've been through a lot together. I've been having difficulty navigating employment, especially through school, and I live alone with these two, stretching my student loans to make the bills and keep the apartment we share.

Pepper's asthma is getting worse, with her having more coughing fits with each coming day, and me not being able to afford more vet trips. What's worse, her last regimen of asthma medication, prednisolone, wasn't as effective as it had been in the past, and she was coughing while still taking it. She would need more imaging and tests for her regular vet to come up with a conclusive treatment plan, and as much as I want to provide that for her, I don't think I can do it in enough time on my own.

Tapioca also needs his own exams to deduce the severity of his respiratory issues. He's been seen at the same vet I bring his mom to, but not looked at quite as closely.

I've done my own share of consistent intervention outside of outright medical care, with an air purifier to reduce allergens, a vacuum robot to collect dust particles that was gifted by a friend, corn-based litter for dust control, and reducing the toxicity of cleaning products I use to cut out ammonia, bleach, and harsh fragrances. Even with this, the studio we call home is very small, so allergens build fast, and the cold weather makes keeping the window open for fresh air just as bad as keeping it closed.

I am very reluctant, albeit willing, to rehome them if I can find someone who can accommodate the cost of their needs. They're my family, and I would hate to see them go. I had previously arranged a temporary foster until I'd be able to get situated, but it unfortunately fell through due to their own housing circumstances.

These funds would be allocated to their veterinary costs, their food, their litter, the pet fee within my monthly rent, and methods to reduce allergens in my home. Any and all donations would be for the betterment of their lives while I actively seek employment and build savings for more long-term sustainable care.