________________________________________

From "Special Ed Kid" to Future Vet Student: Help Me Get a Car So I Can Keep Showing Up (For Animals and For Me)

Hi, I’m Jill. I’m fundraising to buy a reliable used car so I can go to school, continue helping animals, and finally, after a lifetime of being written off, lean into the path I was meant to walk — or, hopefully soon, drive.

This fundraiser isn’t on behalf of any rescue (meaning donations are NOT tax deductible). While I volunteer with an amazing local group, this is a personal campaign to support my education and the rescue work I do. Because I’m not just trying to make it through — I’m trying to make a difference.

________________________________________

From Bullied to Purr Protector

Growing up through the ‘80s and '90s as a neurodivergent kid meant being “sped,” riding the “short bus,” and spending more time at home than at birthday parties. My diagnosis list is still in progress (I'm pursuing official evaluations for autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and bipolar 1), but the symptoms were there all along.

One time that stands out for me the most is that time in kindergarten when I told my teacher I wanted to grow up to be a hamster. (When she said humans can’t be hamsters, I pivoted: “Fine. I’ll be a deer.”) Eventually, I landed on “veterinarian,” because I’ve always felt more connection with animals and it made more sense to me than being a person.

But I lost that dream somewhere along the way — buried under bullying, survival mode, and a school system that didn’t know what to do with kids like me.

Homecoming freshman year was my own personal Carrie moment. I was voted princess as a joke — people tried to trip me walking up to the stage, and the boy who was “crowned” with me didn’t even show up. The only thing they dumped on me was humiliation. They really were all going to laugh at me.

But I showed up anyway. And my mom, in her quiet way of understanding I needed love, got me a cat.

________________________________________

Cats Saved Me More Than Once

That first cat was Friskies. Then came Alley. Both were "therapy cats" from free ads or a donation to local rescues. Friskies was gone too soon. Alley stuck around longer — and left a scar on my face when she miscalculated a jump. I still have that scar. I also still remember being told I lost a razor blade fight with the neighbor girl.

Alley ended up having kittens (because like so many, we had the best of intentions but didn’t get her spayed in time). Raising those kittens — loving them, feeding them, watching them follow me around — it was the first time I felt like I had a purpose. And now, decades later, I’m back where I started: surrounded by kittens and rediscovering that same feeling.

________________________________________

Finally Going to School — But I Need Wheels

Over the past year, I’ve had 59 kittens come through my home — some screaming for bottles, some covered in fleas, some giving me gray hairs. I’ve helped other fosters, decoded vet-speak like it’s my second language, and when medicine failed, I made sure the sickest babies still knew love before they left.

Now, I’m enrolling in school to study animal care. I want to become a more effective educator and advocate, especially around TNR, disease prevention, and supporting low-income pet owners. I want to keep doing this work — but do it better and do it for the long-term.

However, I need a car.

To get to school.

To pick up donations.

To transport kittens.

To keep doing the work that’s given me back my voice — and my future.

________________________________________

Also, I Do Weird Stuff That Helps People Pay Attention

• I am writing a parody song about my dog’s love of cat poop. (“Movin’ to the cat room… gonna eat a lot of cat treats…”)

• I am creating a project to run a ginger kitten named Mayor McCheese for the mayor (awareness + chaos = results)

• Drafting a pitch of a goth-inspired TNR awareness shirt to one of my favorite cat-themed brands

• Help fellow fosters with education, resources, and the occasional “you’re not alone” pep talk at 2 a.m.

________________________________________

TL;DR: I Need a Little Help to Keep Helping

This is not a rescue fundraiser; all donations are NOT tax deductible. This is a me fundraiser. It’s about trying to do right by the younger version of myself — the one who wanted to be a hamster and got bullied for being different. The one who found her voice with kittens. The one who now wants to turn her years of life experience into something real, sustainable, and impactful.

If you’ve ever felt like the world wasn’t designed for your brain, or you’ve ever loved a kitten back to health, I hope you’ll consider donating or sharing.

Thank you for believing in late bloomers, feral dreams, and second chances.

❤️ Jill

(Rescuer. Neurospicy. Not a hamster but still trying.)

________________________________________

Jill’s Wishlist:

Help Fuel My Future (Literally and Figuratively)

Top Need: Reliable Used Car

• Goal: Safe, used vehicle (preferably with AC — Texas heat is no joke)

• Purpose: Transportation to school, donation pick-ups, and kitten rescues

________________________________________

School Supplies

• Backpack with plenty of pockets

• Digital voice recorder / smart pen (for lectures)

• Noise-canceling over-the-ear headphones (sensory-friendly)

• Refillable notebooks or Rocketbook (eco-friendly + ADHD friendly)

• Durable laptop bag

• Gas gift cards (for school/rescue travel)

________________________________________

Cat Rescue Supplies

• Tru-Catch Trap (for safe TNR work)

• Lime Sulfur dip (for ringworm treatment)

• Terramycin eye ointment

• Nutri-Cal supplement (for fading kittens)

• Capstar (over-the-counter flea treatment)

• Feeding syringes and miracle nipples

• Disposable puppy pads

• Dawn dish soap (blue bottle with duck on it, not ultra or power wash)

• Tweezers (for flea removal)

• SnuggleSafe heating disks

• Gloves, hand sanitizer, and disinfectants

• Swiffer Sweeper dry refill pads (they collect hairs and ringworm spores!)

________________________________________

Gift Example Why It Matters:

Major Need:

• Donated car Gets me to school, rescues, supply runs
  

Supporter Tier:

•  Gas card
• headphones
• notebook Helps me stay on track academically
  

Rescue Ally:

• Trap, formula
• sanitation & care supplies Keeps kittens safe and healthy

Neurodivergent Tools:

• Audiobooks
•  Rocketbook, wet erase markers Helps me learn my way, with dignity

Fundraiser Goal: $9,000

Item Estimated Cost Details:

Reliable Used Car $6,000 – $7,000

Average used car prices in Texas are around $35,000, but reliable older models can be found in the $6,000–$7,000 range.

Registration & Title Fees $300 – $600 

Texas registration fees start at $54, plus local county fees and a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee.

Insurance (First 2 Months) $500 – $600 Full coverage insurance in Texas averages $2,886 annually, or about $240 per month.

Taxes & Additional Fees $400 – $800 Includes sales tax (6.25% in Texas) and other potential fees.

Maintenance & Emergency Fund $500 – $1,000 

For initial maintenance, unexpected repairs, or inspections.

Total Estimated Cost $7,700 – $10,000