My sweet cat Luca is 10 years old, and I have had him since he was a tiny kitten. He has been my constant companion for a decade. He is the kind of cat who curls up beside you, follows you around the house, and truly feels like family.

Four months ago, our family moved to a new town. A few days ago Luca slipped out the door. I searched for him for hours, walking the neighborhood and calling his name everywhere I could think to look.

When I finally found him, he was severely injured.

I rushed him to the emergency veterinarian immediately. Luca was in critical condition with significant blood loss, extreme dehydration, and multiple traumatic injuries. The veterinary team had to stabilize him overnight before he could undergo surgery the following day.

During surgery the doctors had to remove his eye because the damage was too severe. They also discovered that his front right radius near the elbow had been fractured.

After a thorough exam, the veterinarian determined his injuries were not consistent with an animal attack. There were no bite wounds or punctures. Instead, his injuries showed severe blunt trauma. Luca had bruising on his ribs consistent with being kicked or stomped. The injury to his face was especially devastating. The skin on one side of his face had been cut away and his eye was gouged in a way that the veterinarian said was consistent with a knife injury.

Despite everything, Luca survived surgery and is now recovering under close veterinary supervision. Because he is older and his injuries were so severe, he is being monitored carefully while he heals.

Luca has been my best friend for 10 years, and seeing him suffer like this has been heartbreaking. I am incredibly grateful that he is still alive and fighting.

Emergency veterinary care, stabilization, surgery, hospitalization, medications, and follow up care have created a very large and unexpected financial burden. If you are able to donate, share this fundraiser, or send prayers and positive thoughts for Luca’s recovery, it would mean the world to us.

Thank you for helping my sweet boy get the care he needed to survive.