Help Freya Breathe With Life-Saving Surgery

On 7/6, I adopted a kitten from a shelter and was excited to integrate her into my life. Just two weeks later on 7/17, a devastating turn of events revealed she's suffering from a uncommon, but treatable, condition caused by a birth defect. It requires urgent surgery that can range from $5,000 - $10,000 for her to breathe normally - and live.

I made a decision right away that I would fight to do everything in my power (barring financial ruin) to keep her alive. She doesn't deserve to lose her life to a treatable condition when she hasn't even begun to live. Her intelligence, spunk, affection and fighting spirit tell me she's not going to give up either.

I have plugged away countless hours reaching out to every shelter, animal rescue, and animal-oriented organization in Sacramento county. I've filled out applications for grants and scholarships, and I've desperately asked for help in the form of resources or connections that can lower the cost of her surgery. While I've received some assistance, I've created this GoFundMe as a last resort to help pick up the remainder.

Hi, my name is Hannah. Two weeks ago I adopted Freya from the Bradshaw Animal Shelter in Sacramento, CA. She was brought to Bradshaw with her mom and siblings after likely having been dumped on Florin Road.

From the moment I saw her I knew she was special. She was glowy, long haired, rambunctious, and has had to fight from the beginning - Freya was diagnosed with fading kitten syndrome at a few weeks old and her wonderful foster mom bottle fed her, bringing her back to life.

Just two weeks after adopting her, Freya began struggling to breathe one evening. I frantically drove her to the emergency vet, who kept her in an oxygen chamber and after imaging, subsequently diagnosed her with Peritoneopericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia, or PPDH. It's a congenital condition (birth defect) where abdominal organs can move into the sac surrounding the heart and lungs, making her breathing labored essentially until it's corrected. Not opting for surgery can result in lifelong discomfort, respiratory and cardiac issues, and potentially death. It is not super common, and one of the DVMs told me they had only seen it twice in their entire career. Her diagnosis (the nursing care, oxygen, labs, and radiographs) cost $3,100 alone.

With corrective surgery being the only way to ensure she stays alive, she was transferred to UC Davis Small Animal ER for evaluation. The DVM there told me due it being a more complex surgery, it needed a board certified surgeon, and that the cost could range from $5,000 - $10,000, and some surgeries could reach $15,000. PPDH surgeries are expensive but have great success; they ensure the cats live long normal lives. Her age, size and other factors have turned this critical life saving surgery into a costly one. The quote I was given was $5,400 - $9,600. I called all other qualified hospitals and their price was the same or higher.

Since I did not have that sum of money available on standby, I had no choice but to take Freya home.

She is resting well, and her breathing is okay, but not optimal. She needs this life saving surgery within the next week at best to prevent any recurring episodes, or worse.

The last four days have been an absolute nightmare. To consider ending Freya's life over the inability to afford a surgery for a treatable condition makes me sick and full of terror.

I have pushed to do everything I can for my sweet fighter so far, but I'm at the end of my rope. Financing that amount would put me into a hole I could not recover from, and would render me unable to take care of myself and sweet Freya. So, I am humbly asking for help, any help at all.

Freya started her life with so much against her, but she has continually fought to live. She is beyond special and has brought me so much love and happiness in the short time we've spent together. She's the kitchen cabinet explorer, bug muncher, velociraptor clawed, shoulder sailing, starry-eyed light in my soul. She's Freya, my fighter. And she does not deserve the terribly bad hand she's been dealt thus far.

If you're able to help in any way, I pray you understand just how much it means to me and how indebted I am to you.