Ruger is our one-year-old rescue pitty-lab mix who has brought so much joy and love into our lives. On the night of March 25th, we noticed he was limping and in obvious pain. After taking him to the vet on March 27th, we learned that Ruger has a severe luxating patella—his kneecap slips in and out of place, causing him significant discomfort. He will need a complete knee replacement. The vet also suspects a Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) tear, but we will only know for sure if the tear is present once the surgeon begins his surgery on May 7th.

The cost for Ruger's surgery is more than we can handle on our own, especially since my husband was let go from his job of six years on March 9th. We have always prided ourselves on being able to care for our many rescue animals and foster cats, but this unexpected expense is overwhelming with our household down to one income. Our dogs are truly our babies, and seeing Ruger in pain is heartbreaking.

I have spent years doing cat rescue work in our community and helping others whenever I can. Now, I find myself in the difficult position of needing to ask for help. We are reaching out to our friends, family, and community to help us give Ruger the surgery he desperately needs. Any support you can offer will mean the world to us and will give Ruger the chance to heal, play, and live pain-free again. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering a donation or sharing our story.