English Version:

As someone who is such a huge lover of animals, I could not simply turn away from Benito when I found him meowing at patrons entering a little cafe near where I was staying in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was clear that the kind people of the neighborhood tried their best to feed the many stray cats, but Benito's health had deteriorated so badly that I knew he needed immediate intervention. I made note of his hiding spots, got a carrier, made a vet appointment, and took him there the next day. He has not hissed, scratched, or bitten once, and he is always looking for cuddles. I have another kitty that I adopted from a rescue org in Florida, who was also a street kitty, and I wanted to pay it forward with Benito.

It was clear at a glance that his skin was in really bad condition, and compared to the other street cats, he was in much rougher shape, with an open wound and severely underweight. The vets also discovered that he is missing a lot of teeth, has stomatitis, a heart murmur, a hernia that requires surgery, an upper respiratory infection, and needs to be neutered. He also has cryptorchidism, which means that one of his testicles did not descend, and that is another surgery he needs.

So far, I have spent a significant amount in Puerto Rico for his vet visit to clear him to fly and get him his first set of medications (dewormer, skin wipes, vaccines, tests), and then at the MSPCA Angell in Boston for additional tests and medications for his other conditions and to establish care. At this point, surgery costs have not even been calculated yet, but it is all adding up fast already.

When I decided to help Benito, I knew he would need medical assistance (and a lot of love and care, of course), but I did not expect him to have as many medical issues as he does. He is an extremely sweet boy who has been dealt really hard cards in his life so far (they think he can be anything from 5-10 years old), and I just want him to live the life he deserves.

I have never asked for help or donations in my life, but the cost of helping Benito is reaching levels that are financially prohibitive for me (receipts uploaded for proof of expenses so far). Therefore, I am respectfully asking for assistance in covering these expenses.

Thank you so much for reading our story and for any support you can offer, whether through a donation or simply by sharing Benito's story with friends and family. Finally, I will ensure that any unused funds, if any remain, are donated to another cat rescue fund or to the MSPCA of Boston, which also performs extraordinary rescues and helps thousands of pets in Massachusetts. Of course, I can also issue a refund if anyone requests one. I am deeply grateful for any help <3!

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Versión en español:

Mientras estaba de vacaciones con unas amigas en San Juan, Puerto Rico, me encontré a Benito Bodoque Agustín. En cuanto lo vi, me di cuenta que su piel estaba en pésima condición, y comparado con todos los otros gatitos callejeros, él estaba muy malito. Aparte de que se veía súper flaquito y desnutrido, tenía una herida en la cabeza que sangraba. Cuando me lo llevé al veterinario en Puerto Rico, me dijeron que le faltan dientes, que padece estomatitis, que tiene un soplo cardíaco y que sufre una hernia abdominal; todo eso requiere cirugía. También lo diagnosticaron con una infección respiratoria. Por último, presenta criptorquidia (testículo no descendido), que requiere una cirugía adicional.

Hasta ahorita, he gastado una gran cantidad de dinero, entre el veterinario en Puerto Rico, lo cual fue necesario para que pudiera viajar y empezar con sus medicamentos (nos dieron un desparasitante, toallitas húmedas para su infección de la piel, todas sus vacunas y un montón de pruebas). Luego, en la MSPCA de Boston, la visita generó mayores gastos para realizarle otras pruebas e iniciar nuevos tratamientos. Todavía faltaría saber cuánto más van a costar sus cirugías. Por supuesto, cuando decidí llevármelo, sabía que habría gastos médicos para ayudarlo y que no sería cuestión de darle solo mucho amor y cariño, pero nunca me imaginé que padeciera tantas afecciones médicas. Benito es un gatito súper dulce y adorable, y le ha tocado vivir una vida bastante difícil durante quién sabe cuántos años (se estima que tiene entre 5 y 10 años). Yo solo quiero que, por fin, pueda vivir una vida de descanso, paz y amor.

Nunca en mi vida he pedido donaciones, pero el costo de sanar a Benito está alcanzando un costo financiero prohibitivo para mí. Por ello, solicito respetuosamente ayuda para cubrir estos gastos. Muchas gracias por leer nuestra historia y por cualquier apoyo que puedan brindar, ya sea mediante donaciones o compartiendo la historia de Benito con otros.

Por último, me aseguraré de donar cualquier fondo que no sea utilizado a otro fondo de rescate de gatitos o a la MSPCA de Boston, que también realiza unos rescates extraordinarios y ayuda a miles de mascotas en Massachusetts. Por supuesto, también puedo realizar un reembolso si alguien lo desea. ¡Estoy profundamente agradecida por cualquier ayuda <3!