Steph's Cat Care Fresh Start Fund
Donation protected
Help Save Peep, Bella, & Shaggy’s Home & Give Me a Fresh Start
Things started getting tough for me in 2007 when, unemployed for 6 months, I nearly lost my apartment. Somehow, I managed to get through that time, but I vowed I’d never be in that position again and decided the best way to ensure that was to go back to school and get a bachelor’s degree.
During my first attempt to relocate for school in 2009, my moving van was burglarized and most every sentimental thing I owned – from photos to cards to books and CDs…even the video I shot for my old punk band in the early 90’s – was gone, never to be seen again. Throughout this very volatile time, the constants in my life were my cats. I’d do anything to repay the comfort and joy they’ve given me over the years.
I don’t think my friends ever really knew how much I sacrificed to take care of the cats. I had to forgo the dentist, the doctor, and a host of other non-essential things for years because caring for them wasn’t cheap. The girls, Bella and Peep, were originally the responsibility of a friend; but when she called me asking for help, I stepped up to take care of them never intending it to be permanent. That was 12 years ago. Over the years, their care alone has reached into the thousands. Maybe that makes me a sucker, but I'm a sucker with a big heart for small, unwanted creatures.
My boy Shaggy used to have a stepbrother named Wally. He’d already lost his sister Fifi to cancer in 2010. In early 2014, I found growths in one of Wally’s ears – cancer again. I finished school last December, but despite graduating with a 3.57 BSBA, I couldn’t find work in my field. Only able to find two part-time, barely-above-minimum jobs this year, vet bills went on what little credit I had and there was no hope of affording the surgery that could have saved Wally’s life. On June 28th, I lost my little dude. Three days later, I lost one of my two jobs.
Sadly, I was naive in thinking that having a degree would guarentee me a job. I never stop putting out resumes, but despite a couple dozen interviews in position ranging from cashier to analyst, I’ve had no luck. My family can’t help and my age is working against me. There are no parades for 47 year old college graduates.
Severely under-employed for the past year, with vet bills on top of daily expenses (Bella is diabetic, Peep was nearly paralyzed by a back problem, and Shaggy has had health problems since age 2), I am now being swallowed under a pile of late bills including rent that I cannot possibly pay without help. When your bills are $1200 a month and you’re only making $700, something’s not getting paid.
I worry constantly about the future of my furry family. The thought of us losing the roof over our heads weighs on me daily. I’ve cried myself to sleep many times as they slept next to me.
I’m trying to raise $2500 by late December with the ultimate goal over $3500. This will get all past due rent caught up, and start a fund for emergencies. I don’t know what would happen to the cats if we lost our home. I can’t let them down. They can't go to the shelter. Your help – any help – is greatly appreciated.
When I started this campaign, I tried offering incentives but found people were only confused by this. So I’ve dropped all the incentives from this campaign except for Biscuit and Warm Fuzzy. Sorry. If there was something you saw and liked, just contact me directly and I’ll add it back for you. For now though, they are gone from this campaign. What doesn’t change is my need to get over this hump. Every day that goes by, I wonder how I’m going to make it through these times. Any amount donated is appreciated. <(^.^)>
Things started getting tough for me in 2007 when, unemployed for 6 months, I nearly lost my apartment. Somehow, I managed to get through that time, but I vowed I’d never be in that position again and decided the best way to ensure that was to go back to school and get a bachelor’s degree. During my first attempt to relocate for school in 2009, my moving van was burglarized and most every sentimental thing I owned – from photos to cards to books and CDs…even the video I shot for my old punk band in the early 90’s – was gone, never to be seen again. Throughout this very volatile time, the constants in my life were my cats. I’d do anything to repay the comfort and joy they’ve given me over the years.
I don’t think my friends ever really knew how much I sacrificed to take care of the cats. I had to forgo the dentist, the doctor, and a host of other non-essential things for years because caring for them wasn’t cheap. The girls, Bella and Peep, were originally the responsibility of a friend; but when she called me asking for help, I stepped up to take care of them never intending it to be permanent. That was 12 years ago. Over the years, their care alone has reached into the thousands. Maybe that makes me a sucker, but I'm a sucker with a big heart for small, unwanted creatures.
My boy Shaggy used to have a stepbrother named Wally. He’d already lost his sister Fifi to cancer in 2010. In early 2014, I found growths in one of Wally’s ears – cancer again. I finished school last December, but despite graduating with a 3.57 BSBA, I couldn’t find work in my field. Only able to find two part-time, barely-above-minimum jobs this year, vet bills went on what little credit I had and there was no hope of affording the surgery that could have saved Wally’s life. On June 28th, I lost my little dude. Three days later, I lost one of my two jobs. Sadly, I was naive in thinking that having a degree would guarentee me a job. I never stop putting out resumes, but despite a couple dozen interviews in position ranging from cashier to analyst, I’ve had no luck. My family can’t help and my age is working against me. There are no parades for 47 year old college graduates. Severely under-employed for the past year, with vet bills on top of daily expenses (Bella is diabetic, Peep was nearly paralyzed by a back problem, and Shaggy has had health problems since age 2), I am now being swallowed under a pile of late bills including rent that I cannot possibly pay without help. When your bills are $1200 a month and you’re only making $700, something’s not getting paid.
I worry constantly about the future of my furry family. The thought of us losing the roof over our heads weighs on me daily. I’ve cried myself to sleep many times as they slept next to me.
I’m trying to raise $2500 by late December with the ultimate goal over $3500. This will get all past due rent caught up, and start a fund for emergencies. I don’t know what would happen to the cats if we lost our home. I can’t let them down. They can't go to the shelter. Your help – any help – is greatly appreciated.
When I started this campaign, I tried offering incentives but found people were only confused by this. So I’ve dropped all the incentives from this campaign except for Biscuit and Warm Fuzzy. Sorry. If there was something you saw and liked, just contact me directly and I’ll add it back for you. For now though, they are gone from this campaign. What doesn’t change is my need to get over this hump. Every day that goes by, I wonder how I’m going to make it through these times. Any amount donated is appreciated. <(^.^)>
Organizer
Stephanie West
Organizer
San Diego, CA