Hello!

My name is Ben and I am asking for your support to help a beloved neighborhood kitty named Cleo. My partner and I moved to our current apartment four years ago, and Cleo has always been living outside.

Cleo (short for Cleopatra) is an incredibly social and kind cat. You would never think that she is a stray, but she doesn't have a home. Many of our neighbors (and local mailmen) know her, feed her, and have some outdoor shelters for her to stay warm during the cold winters. She is well loved.

Cleo plays an integral part of our day. Right as we get ready to leave for work in the morning, my partner and I are guaranteed to be met by her asking for food and pets. She always greets us with her very loud meows. Some of our neighbors name her Screamy. Cleo always has a lot to say. She will run up to us, tail raised in the air, and will then run into our legs saying hello. Cleo will also be there when we come back later in the day.

Cleo will roll on the ground and show you her belly as you give her pets. She will make air biscuits and will purr loudly. She won't let you pick her up, however. When we feed her, she will eat a lot. Sometimes she will prefer pets over food. When she is done, she will wander off until you see her again. But she will always make your day a little brighter.

Just a few weeks ago, I noticed that she was not eating as much. With a lucky picture I took of her (below), I noticed that one of her canine teeth was half gone. I notified one of our neighbors who has an outdoor shelter for her that she likely has a tooth infection, and needs help. Cleo had trouble eating, was in pain, and she needed help. My partner and I tried to catch her, although Cleo is a quick kitty and avoided us.

Luckily our neighbors were able to get her inside and take her to a vet. We learned that Cleo was already spayed. She was given some base vaccines. The hardest part was learning that she needs several teeth pulled, and lots of dental work done. She was given antibiotic shots during that initial vet visit but will need to be back soon for dental surgery.

My partner and I are not able to cover the estimate for her upcoming surgery. We also agree that it is most helpful for Cleo if she were to be adopted and find a home. We already have two cats of our own, and we don't have the space or funds for Cleo in our apartment. Our neighbors also have cats too and will not be able to house her for very long. It will not be safe for her to be outside once she has lost some of her teeth.

If you are looking to help an animal out, in any small way, it would mean the world to Cleo, my partner and I, and all of our neighbors that have enjoyed having Cleo be a part of our days (and lives). She deserves to be healthy and to be in a safe space where she can be with people that will always be there for her and love her. Any donation made (out of the $2500 goal) will be put towards her surgery costs and helping her recover from it in the weeks after.

Thank you for reading and for your support. Please consider sharing this story to others, and/or donating if you are able to.