Help rescue cat Jean-Michel get vital surgery

Meet Jean-Michel! (He says hi and thanks for checking out his page.)

Let me tell you why he's the sweetest cat in the world and why he absolutely deserves this chance at a happy, healthy life.

My adventure with Jean-Michel started in February, when I heard through a friend that someone was trying to find homes for Maine coons he was keeping in a barn. The whole situation was very strange - the man wasn't asking for money for the cats, he just needed them gone. I went with friends to investigate, and that's when I found Jean-Michel.

He sadly wasn't in a good way. He had an eye infection, was smelly and matted, and hadn't had any vaccines, worming, or flea treatment. But he was absolutely lovely, came up to me immediately for cuddles and I knew I had to take him home and get him the care he needed.

I took him to our truly wonderful and dedicated vets and they told me that as well as treatment for his eye, he would also need treatment for a hernia on his belly. From here, it's been a rollercoaster of ups and downs. Jean-Michel's eye got better, but sadly he's had ongoing stomach issues. I also got him the initial hernia repair operation, but it was more complicated than the vet originally planned because he has weak stomach muscles. The vet explained that this can be caused by malnutrition, which was probably due to the background he came from. This caused issues with healing, including five weeks of infections and four different antibiotic treatments. And then, finally, WE MADE IT! He finally healed!

... until a few weeks later I felt under his belly and realised the hernia had come back. Gutted doesn't cover it.

I took him to the vet and they said that it was probably due to the weak stomach muscles and that more specialist treatment would be needed so they'd need to refer Jean-Michel to a specialised vet, driving the cost up considerably. The quote for this treatment is £4,000 - £5,000, but because they won't know until he is in the surgery exactly what he will need, I need to be ready to pay £5,000.

My insurance sadly won't cover it, because he already had a hernia when I adopted him and so it counts as a pre-existing health condition. I have been told that while the hernia is not currently a medical emergency, it could become one at any point and so we need to operate the sooner the better.

I have already spent £1,000 on vets bills for him, and another £5,000 is very far out of reach for me.

If we hit this fundraising goal (or in the event it's exceeded), I would put anything left over into future treatments for Jean-Michel. For example, if he needs extra support to recover from this surgery, like last time with the antibiotics.

Jean-Michel is and always has been an incredibly lovely cat. He snuggles up next to me in bed. Plays with everything he can get his paws on. Sits politely for his dinner.

Especially where his first year of life was so tough, I just want to be able to give him a lovely life where he's happy and healthy. I would be so grateful for your help to get him there.

THANK YOU so much for reading and considering donating. It genuinely means so much.

If you'd like to learn more about Jean-Michel, I have videos about him and our story on my Instagram account (@harrythegirl).

UPDATE!!

GUYS! WOW! I am absolutely blown away by the support ❤️

We've hit £2,000 in less than a day. I keep crying (in a good way!) and just feel utterly overwhelmed by the kindness of my friends, family, and complete strangers.

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated. A few people have messaged me to say they're sorry they can't donate more - I just want to be clear that each donation is so very appreciated. £5 is still a step towards surgery, and every step means the world

I also have a positive update on his surgery!

My vets are absolute gems and have been researching and speaking to specialist vet hospitals on our behalf, and today I got a call to confirm that they've found a hospital that can do it for £3,500. There are additional fees, such as a £300 initial consultation, and also they mentioned he may need a blood test before they can proceed, which could mean extra. I am also aware that when Jean-Michel had surgery before, he needed 4 sets of antibiotic treatments, which also add up. For this reason, I am keeping the £5,000 goal as it is for now, in case of these additional costs, but with some luck, it we hit £3,800 I will be in a position to get Jean-Michel this surgery. If it ends up not costing as much as expected and there are leftover funds, I will of course put anything extra towards future medical treatments for Jean-Michel.

The funds already raised have allowed me to book the initial £300 consultation - thank you so much. I never expected this kind of response and I just feel so grateful I could burst.

Thank you a million times.

(He is napping so won't open his eyes for the photo but he says thank you too!)

Love,

Harriet and Jean-Michel xxxx