Stray Kitten ‘Cricket’ Needs Our Help to Get Surgery!

This is Cricket! She's about 10 weeks old and I found her curled up in the middle of a high-traffic road last Saturday evening. I'm fostering her, and I'm doing my best to keep her happy, healthy, and cared for until we can figure out her next steps. Unfortunately, according to our vet, it looks like she was hit by a car several weeks ago and needs more medical help than I can provide on my own, so I'm asking for help.

Here's a little more of Cricket's story:

Where she was found: I was driving down Jefferson on my way home from a friend's house when I spotted her curled up in the middle of a very high-traffic road. When I saw a little head pop up, I pulled over and tried to approach her to help. She was understandably scared and tried to move away- this was the first moment I noticed that she wasn't walking properly. She moved slowly and unevenly, but she was still fast enough to hide under another car that pulled over after me. Thankfully, three cars stopped and put their hazards on so we could create a safe barrier to catch her without risking traffic. When I was finally able to reach out and grab hold of her, her spicy side came out and she bit me a few times- but I think if I was hurt and scared and a giant came to grab at me I'd probably bite too! One of the other people who stopped to block the road kindly offered a jacket, so we wrapped her up in it and she came home with me. Then, I found the largest carrying crate I could find, and set her up with some self-warming blankets, a tiny litter box, food and water, and several toys to make her a comfy quarantine home.

For about 12 hours she hid at the back of the crate. I spent time near the crate while she ate, and she slowly started to trust she was safe.

The next thing I knew, she found her confidence and her kitten playfulness- she went from fearfully hissing and biting, to sweetly demanding cuddles and belly rubs.

Veterinarian Visits: After her first vet visit for initial vaccines, dewormer, FIV/FelV tests, and a leg exam, we learned that she was very likely hit by a car a few weeks before I found her. The initial x-ray showed that she had a broken femur that already healed incorrectly, as well as a dislocation in her foot, and some edema.

According to my vet, Cricket needs to see an orthopedic surgical veterinarian to help her with these injuries. It's possible (might even be likely) that she may even need an amputation. She has an appointment for a consultation at the surgical vet at the end of this month, at which point they will be able to provide a more detailed care plan. For now, the surgical vet has estimated that her surgery and medical care will cost roughly $5000. I am doing my best to help her, and have paid for her initial vaccines, vet visits, food, bedding and toys, etc. However, I simply don't have the means to help her with the surgery she needs to heal her leg injury. Despite all of that, I still want to find a way to help her, so that's why I've created this GoFundMe. I'm hoping that through the power of community we can help heal the injuries Cricket sustained while she was still living on the street. Even after everything she's been through, she is a sweetheart. She loves snuggles, belly rubs, catnip toys, and anything with bells, and her kitten energy is bubbling to come out. You can see her playing in the video below- she gets around slowly right now, but with the help of the surgery to repair her leg, she can live the full and happy life she was always meant to have.

Cricket's Very Bright Future: Right now, I am fostering Cricket, with the very hopeful possibility that she has already found her forever home with us. In the meantime, she is living the best life I can provide her, while also remaining quarantined in a spare room at my home for her safety, and for the health of my other pets. Once she is old enough to reliably test negative for FIV and FelV, she can then be slowly and safely introduced to the pets already at my home to see if they can all live happily together. If she does test positive for FIV or FelV, then I will foster her until I can personally find her a forever family that will perfect for her and provide her with the life she deserves.

Thank you all for your kindness, generosity, and support. Please know that whatever we raise will go to her medical bills. I will upload copies of her invoices as soon as her consultation is complete. Any funds raised beyond her medical needs will be donated to a local animal rescue in her honor.