Help Carl and Rebekah get back on their feet.

6 ½ years ago on Halloween night, my niece, Rebekah, found an abandoned cat outside of a Carl’s Jr. dumpster. He was dirty and skinny from neglect and trying to survive on the street. But she could see that he was a young, beautiful, friendly, loving cat. She cleaned him up and nursed him back to health. At first, she had nowhere to keep him, so he lived in her car. That is how he came to be named Carl. My niece is single and has no siblings. She and Carl have developed a deep bond. She takes care of him, and he comforts her. She takes him with her when she travels. He is her baby.

Carl is mostly an indoor cat, but he does occasionally get out. A few months ago, he got out and returned with severe injuries. It appeared that he had escaped a bobcat attack. He was clearly traumatized. She nursed his wounds, but the trauma was more extensive than surface wounds. The stress resulted in severe constipation and even bowel obstruction. The local vet kept bringing him back for more tests, images, enemas, etc., charging her more than $3500 and still no diagnosis, just palliative care.

I am retired, living on social security, and live hundreds of miles away. But I know how important Carl is to Rebekah, so I got to work and found a different vet for her who came highly recommended. He has very reasonable fees, has been able to diagnose Carl's problems, and given sound advice on how to help him recover from his trauma. Carl is not out of the woods yet, but clearly on the path to recovery.

Rebekah works as a cook for a catering company. Her income is minimal, and even though her lifestyle is very modest, the vet bills have completely depleted her financial reserves. She even sold her car just to keep the utilities on. The buyer took advantage of her situation and paid her far below market value for her car. She still owes $1100 on the car loan and now has the added expense of paying for Uber when she can’t arrange a ride with friends.

Carl is still in need of veterinary services and Rebekah needs a car so that she can safely get to work and back. I’m asking for emergency funding to help my niece, Rebekah, and her baby, Carl, get back on their feet.

Sincerely,

Lotus Mahon