Mr. Baby has been a part of our family for nearly two decades. Jack chose him from an animal shelter when he was just 11 years old, and since then, Mr. Baby has been by his side through every challenge and change. For Jack, Mr. Baby has been one of the few constants in a life filled with ups and downs. Six years ago, I joined their story, and over time, Mr. Baby and I have grown close as well. He’s a sweet, opinionated cat—a true 'cat man baby'—who has brought us both so much comfort and joy.

Recently, Mr. Baby’s health has taken a sudden and heartbreaking turn. He started having severe urinary issues, and what we hoped was a simple infection has become much more serious. He now needs help to eat and use the litter box, and he spends most of his time hiding under the couch. More recently, he’s become unusually cuddly, seeking constant comfort, and it’s clear he’s not himself. These new symptoms are on top of ongoing thyroid problems that have required daily medication for the past year. We’re taking him to the vet for an urgent checkup, but the costs of care—whether it’s treatment, end-of-life services and cremation—are more than we can manage right now.

We want to make sure Mr. Baby is comfortable and loved, no matter what the vet says. If there’s hope for treatment, we’ll use any support for labs, medications, and special foods. If it’s time to say goodbye, we want to give him a peaceful farewell. Any extra help will also support Jack as he faces the loss of his lifelong companion. As we learn more about Mr. Baby’s needs and the costs involved, we may need to raise our goal to reflect any changes. Thank you for reading our story and for any support you can give. Your kindness means the world to us.