Cats in need after owner is gone.

It's been a tough night.  A friend and I went to check in on a fellow we know and we found out a long illness had finally taken him away from us.  There's not much more to say about that other than that his absence on the planet takes just a little of the shine off of everything.  

Once the police were leaving his apartment they called me to tell me that I could come get his cats.  I have three of my own and, from the time I had went over to his old place (and from all the photos he posted) I knew he doted on his.  I didn't want them to be in a bad spot so I loaded up my two cat crates and drove over to his apartment.  I didn't know what I would do, but I couldn't leave them there alone.  The officer greeted me and told me he had to lock the place up and that the family would reach out if they wanted to retrieve the cats.  He told me that, aside from that, they were being left in my care.  

I went into the apartment and one of the cats was ready to greet me.  We laid the crate down and he walked into it.  He was as affectionate as I remembered.  The younger cat was hiding and he was missing most of the fur off of the back half of his body.  It's not clear if it might be fleas or allergies, but I knew he would need some attention and I knew it wouldn't be possible to get them mixed in with my cats (I can't afford to get mine sick).  

So I spoke with another mutual friend and then another friend (who happens to be the director of a local Animal Rescue who I've worked with before on a fundraising project).  Even though they are facing issues with capacity, she told me she would work to help make sure these two cats are taken care of. . . .  I told her I would do what I could to help and that I would also set up a gofundme account to help with the cost of their care.  

I know someone is going to make a comment about how this is crass, maybe. . . or maybe someone will question why I felt compelled to set this up before my buddy's burial situation was sorted out.  I set it up because I know, if I have to leave this planet and my pets behind, I won't care what happens to anything I leave behind (not my things. . . not the shell of my body. . . ) if my pets wouldn't be cared for. . . and I think that's the way my friend felt too.  

So, without knowing what the future brings, I want to get some immediate health care and shelter for the two cats my friend loved more than anything else.  They both appear to be in relatively good health with the younger black cat suffering from some sort of skin condition (could be allergies or fleas).   Once they are treated and ready to be released to family/their new homes. . . whatever we get above and beyond their health care and boarding needs will be donated to Little Victories.  

Thank you for your attention and your care.