Help Clyde Walk Again: Urgent Surgery Needed

Hello everyone, my name is Sandra Beckford and this is Clyde’s story ❤️‍❤️‍❤️‍❤️‍

On December 16, 2023, I rescued three kittens from a tire shop in Newark, NJ. It was a cold winter day and I couldn’t turn the blind eye on these cutie pies. I immediately began searching for a home for these kittens since I already had two rescues at home myself. I found a friend who would take one. I was then left with two, a female and male, who I named Bonnie and Clyde ☺️. After many months of searching for the right people to give them a loving home, I was unsuccessful. I fell in love and kept them both. I was six months in and too attached . Fast forward……..

On May 7, 2025, I woke up to feed and care for the cats as I normally do every morning. I am usually greeted by all four in the kitchen as they wait for their food. Shockingly, Clyde was nowhere to be found. I frantically looked all over my apartment, thinking he was stuck somewhere, but couldn’t find him. I then looked at my kitchen window to find the screen damaged with an opening. I live on the third floor so you could only imagine how my heart began to pound. I ran to the window and looked out only to see my Clyde just laying on the concrete pavement. I yelled Clyde, and all I can see is his sad face look up at me, as he laid there in pain. Not only was he in pain, but he is not an outside cat (I rescued him at 4 weeks old) so he must’ve of been terrified out there all alone. I have no clue how long he was out there. I went to bed at 11 pm that night and woke up at 7:30 am.

I rush downstairs to get Clyde, carried him gently to back to the apartment, as he cried out in pain. I then placed him on the carpet to observe his injuries and saw he could not use his front legs. I called my mother frantically crying and told her what happened. She then comes to get me and we take Clyde to the VET. We were told he had multiple fractures on both front legs - both bones, in each leg, were broken in half and fractured carpel bones in one paw. Thankfully, my mother had a credit card and we were able to cover the unexpected cost for this particular visit, which was about $980.00. The VET recommended surgery for Clyde since his fractures were in both legs. I asked the VET what I am I looking at cost-wise for surgery? She replied, anywhere between 8-10k, but that’s just a rough estimate. I looked at her and said there is no way I could afford that right now or get approved for loans at this time. I asked if there were any alternatives to surgery, VET stated there are, but Clyde’s injuries are severe and she is not too hopeful about the alternative, which were to splint both legs. I then told the VET, I have no other choice, but to try the alternative. We tried the splints, which consisted of approximately $215-245 every week for bandage changes, varied depending on the meds provided. However, on the fourth week, we decided to do x-rays to see if there was any improvement. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any improvement in either leg . Clyde is a big cat 13lbs, young and active, which makes it difficult for him to heal properly, even being cage-bound most of the day for protection. He would literally shake or bite his splints off. I have uploaded images of his X-rays for you to see the seriousness of his condition.

I am in desperate need of assistance to cover the cost of his surgery and aftercare for meds/weekly visits for six weeks post-op. His surgery must happen ASAP since the alignment of his bones are off, as you can see in the image. I DO NOT want to relinquish or euthanize my baby Clyde, as recommended if he doesn’t get surgery. He deserves a chance at life. He is so friendly and loving. He also has an amazing bond with his sister Bonnie, as you can see in the photo. Bonnie actually helps me clean him. The surgical ortho VET hospital that would be performing the surgery is called Eclipse in Whippany, New Jersey, and the VET who is currently caring for Clyde is Arlington Cat &Dog Animal Hospital in Kearny, New Jersey. Please feel free to contact them to confirm any details if needed. I am extremely grateful to anyone who can donate to Clyde’s surgery, and grateful for your time in reading Clyde’s story. You are my only hope.