UPDATE: WOW - Thank you so much for your kind and generous gifts! Danny's medical bills are covered AND 10 additional community cats can receive spay/neuter surgeries - saving lives through prevention. My heart is full! Can we do... 5... 10... 15 more? Please share with feline-friendly folks.

Adoptable Info: It's so awesome to be a safe haven for this sweet boy. Here's some info about him:

*He uses a litter box

*He loves stretching/scratching on an upright and tall scratching post

*He loves looking OUT the window from his inside perch

*He is independent and affectionate (he is still hesitant - street life makes one "sus")

Danny's story:

I have no idea what his original name was. His green eyes make me think of the beautiful Emerald Isle, so Danny Boy he became. He and his siblings were left behind to fend for themselves in an apartment complex parking lot, dashing under cars and hiding in bushes. According to a couple long-time residents, the orphaned felines had been there for 8 years. They were sporting ear tips, so I knew they had been spayed or neutered.

Another neighbor and I walked around the buildings and discovered an empty food bowl, no water, and started monitoring to see if we could help these sweet souls. I'm grateful I have never had to forage for food, and to date, have not faced hunger. It's a basic need for all living creatures, and it became evident that the cats, who had been dependent on a person, were now on their own, relying on someone to occasionally add food to a bowl that often remained empty. My neighbor and I decided we needed to practice compassionate living and "do kindness".

It takes time to build trust, whether you walk on two or four legs. This green-eyed tuxedo began to follow me as I measured out a small amount of food for him in the morning. He then started doing a tango with me, waltzing against my legs, as we walked up the hill together. Gradually, I was able to pet him. I noticed he would sit at his food bowl, looking at the 1/2 cup of food. Over the course of a few months it became evident something was going on. Prior experience suggested dental or kidney issues.

Rental increases resulted in my needing to move. It made me feel ill to think of leaving this guy behind. My situation wasn't optimal, but when there is a need, you are faced with a choice.

Fast forward, Danny was taken to a low-cost clinic in Charlotte, NC on June 15th. Since it was not clear if he could be handled, he was anesthetized. He tested negative for feline leukemia, and his blood work was excellent; however, one of his canine teeth was broken off at the gum line. When the Vet touched his tooth, he chattered, even while under anesthesia. The Dr said this was an indication of severe pain. I've had a cracked tooth and the pain was intense, so I felt for this guy.

It was decision time. This cat had no family. Rescues and shelters are over capacity. North Carolina is a high-kill state. Should I ask the Veterinarian to give the 2-dose lethal injection to end the life of a cat she estimated to be approximately 5 years old - all because of dental issues? On June 26th, Danny went back to the Veterinarian... to receive the necessary work to allow him a 2nd chance at life.

Anesthesia, fluids, xrays to ensure a comprehensive extraction was completed, pain meds, and an antibiotic injection were administered, along with vaccines and flea treatment. While under, a full mouth exam along with radiograph images revealed another abscessed tooth. Due to the extent of damage and the time that had passed, his gums were unhealthy. Suturing was difficult, but I'm happy to report that Danny is on Day 3 of his recovery. He will need to eat wet food for two weeks, and then the plan is to find a loyal forever family.

The cost for all the work Danny needed was approximately $950. I am asking that donations be made to an amazing nonprofit that helps community cats (felines without families), Friends of Feral Felines in Charlotte, NC. This nonprofit helps community cats in crisis, but their primary focus is providing spay/neuter subsidies to caring citizens who help abandoned ("stray") or feral cats.

Thank you for being a special someone by donating to help Danny and other community cats like him.

Donations are tax-deductible! Please make sure you reference "Danny" in your online donation submission. If you see that the goal to cover his treatment is covered, and you would still like to help a community cat receive spay/neuter surgery/rabies vaccine, that would be awesome! Paying it forward is always a +!

$1,000 - Injury/Crisis fund for Danny - Primary Request

$1,500 - Spay/Neuter/Rabies vaccine subsidy for 30 community cats/$50 per cat

(Money for 10 has been raised; 1/3 of the way there!)

https://www.instagram.com/friendsofferalfelinesclt/

Friends of Feral Felines

P.O. Box 473385

Charlotte, NC 28247-3385

More information about Friends of Feral Felines: Friends of Feral Felines (FFF) has been saving lives through prevention since 1998 and exists to humanely manage community cats through a TNVR program - Trap, Neuter/Spay, Vaccinate and Return.

Interested in volunteering in Charlotte, NC: https://www.friendsofferalfelines.org/contact