Chester - Animal Hospital Bills

Hello,

For those that don't know me, my name is Max Hauser and I live in Milwaukee, WI. This year has been very difficult for me. I have faced a lot of personal struggles in relationships, supporting family with health issues and adjusting to a move to a new city. This winter has also been challenging financially as I am a freelance videographer. Work slowed down and life piled up which has made for an incredibly tumultuous year. Living month to month, I was always afraid if I could keep the roof over my head. One thing that was always consistent was my cat Chester, who I have had for nine years.

Chester probably napped for six of those years and always did so in ridiculous positions like this:

This is the first photo of Chester at 4 weeks old when he was adopted in the shelter.

When I faced being unable to pay my bills from the lack of work and was barely able to afford to feed myself, I would always feed Chester first. At times when I had nothing, I knew my cat would still come by me. When I had to spend late nights editing videos alone, Chester would always come sit on my lap or bug me to come play instead. Coming home from long days or trips, I loved being greeted by Chester by the door. I used to think it was corny when people thought of pets as family but this cat was actually family to me and sometimes was all that I had. He also made an impact on every roommate I have had or friend that has visited over the last nine years. He lived a comfortable life filled with lots of people he could be social with, birds to watch from the windows and tons of snacks and toys.

On Jan. 6th 2024, Chester was comfortably asleep next to me while I watched a movie. He had been just playing an hour earlier and now was tired out. Suddenly, he awoke with a horrible howl and began shaking. I panicked and ran him to the closest animal hospital. I was racing against time and holding onto him flying down roads I had never been on trying to get to the closest one I could find.

When we arrived, CPR was performed multiple times as well as some other drugs admitted to try and bring him back. They believe he passed away due to heart disease and that there were no warning signs. One minute he was resting peacefully, the next he was in pain and then he was gone.

Upon leaving, I was given a bill for $1289.00. I was already really struggling to just make ends meet after a really difficult fall/winter season. I am looking for any help that I can get in regards to this, so that I can make sure to stay afloat. This is obviously a really expensive, unplanned charge and any help would be greatly appreciated. With life already being one of the hardest years I have ever had, losing my cat and then this bill has just been incredibly heavy.

Anything over that amount, I will be donating to a scholarship to an active student Sigma Pi Fraternity Oshkosh, where Chester spent his first 2 years growing up in Chester's name.