Help fund Waffle's recovery

My name is Sarah, and I am a TNR (trap/neuter/return) certified rescuer in Brooklyn, NY. For my first case, with the help of a fantastic rescue community here in NYC, my TNR mentor Jackie and I trapped four young cats living on the street in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The cats were being fed by a friendly neighbor, who told Jackie and me that all four were friendly - far too friendly to live on the streets.

After the cats were neutered, I took them in and began fostering them in my bathroom. Named Waffle, Pancake, Biscuit, and Honey, "The Breakfast Club Cats" began to thrive once they got used to their new environment. They love to play, wrestle with each other, snuggle in cozy hiding spaces, and, most of all, food.

Waffle is the bravest of his brothers - he loves following me around the bathroom as I clean, always wants to play, and loves pets. He would ensure he was the first to finish his food so he could go to each of his brother's plates and try to eat some of their food, too.

On November 23, 2022, roughly 20 days after being rescued, Waffle began exhibiting some unusual lethargy for a cat that was usually so rambunctious. He stayed lying down while his brothers played and seemed disinterested.

On Thanksgiving morning, Waffle could not stand on his own. When prompted, he would immediately lie back down or crawl to a sitting position. He also refused food. Alarmed by these symptoms, I took Waffle to VERG, which is an emergency vet clinic in Brooklyn.

Waffle received extraordinary care while at VERG, but his case was a bit of a mystery. It took him about 48 hours to begin exhibiting improvement while receiving antibiotics. Parasites, physical injury/trauma, and other emergencies were ruled out. It appears to have been a neurological setback, possibly caused by a lingering or preexisting infection.

Thankfully since his discharge from VERG a few days later, Waffle has shown steady improvement. He is back to eating, playing, and cuddling with his brothers. Happiest of all, Waffle made such an impression on the staff at VERG that one of his vet technicians is adopting him - Waffle has found his forever home.

I am raising money to pay off Waffle's emergency visit. I am a new rescuer and do not have the established fundraising community that many other TNR rescuers rely upon. I still need to ensure I can financially care for Waffle's three brothers as I continue fostering them and getting them ready for adoption.

I greatly appreciate any help you can give for this fundraiser!