Heatwave Homeless Emergency: Please Help Me Protect My Pets

Hi, my name is Ecko, and I’m in an emergency situation.

I’m currently homeless, living out of my van with my beloved pets. We’ve been surviving one day at a time, but now we’re in the middle of a dangerous heatwave in Kalamazoo, Michigan. By mid-morning, it’s already over 80°, and the next 4 days will bring life-threatening heat indexes of 105. My van has no AC, and it’s not safe for animals—or me—in this kind of heat.

Right now, I have a motel room, but I can only afford to stay one more night. My pets and I desperately need help to stay housed, safe, and alive during this critical stretch of weather.

What Your Help Supports:

The weekly rate here is $466 (before taxes/fees).

I’m trying to raise $1,400 to cover:

Two weeks of shelter during peak heat

Pet food and supplies

Food, gas, emergencies

Basic stability while I work on rebuilding my life

This room is our lifeline. I plan to stay here as long as they'll let me pay for it—until I can stabilize, find something more affordable, and rebuild. I don’t want to be forced back into unsafe conditions that could harm my pets or my health.

A Small Thank-You

I make handmade crochet catnip toys—durable, adorable, and cat-approved.

If you donate $10 or more and leave a mailing address, I would love to send you one as a thank-you.

(Note: At this time, I’m only able to send toys within the U.S. due to shipping costs. Thank you for understanding!)

These toys helped bring joy to people and pets all over the country when I had more stability. I still have dozens with me—and making them helps me stay grounded.

Final Words

I never wanted to be in this position. I’ve always tried to stay independent. But I can’t do this one alone. I didn’t choose this situation—but I am choosing to survive it.

If you can donate: thank you, truly.

If you can share: that might be the thing that saves us.

Every dollar, every share, and every kind word helps us hold on a little longer.

Thank you for reading this—and for caring.

—Ecko