I'm Grace, and I've spent my life advocating for and rescuing animals. Zak, my goofy, sweet 14-year-old Siamese lynx , is chronically ill with new symptoms needing diagnosis and treatment. He's also grieving the death of his sister Sophia, & still searches for her. I'm on a fixed income, unable to cover his mounting medical needs alone. He needs urgent dental surgery — we're $1,000 short of being able to schedule it. Thank you for taking a moment for my beloved boy Zak. Read his full details below:

Background:

Every night without fail, Zak waits for his song — the one I made up after his sister Sophia died. He kept looking for her to curl up with, pacing room by room and crying for her — until I tried singing to him. The first time I sang he finally relaxed. And now he insists I sing his song every night before he’ll settle down to sleep.

My boy turns 14 next Saturday March 21. He is opinionated and certain the world revolves around him — probably because I’ve catered to his and his sister’s every need since they were kittens. He is goofy and stubborn and irreplaceably himself.

Here’s the thing: despite everything his body is fighting (details below), Zak still has his appetite. He still finds the sunniest spot in the house every afternoon, still loves to snuggle with me and his stuffed bear, and still waits every night for his song — rolling around on the bed purring along as I sing. He is not ready to give up, and neither am I.

But right now, he is in serious danger.

What's going on medically

Zak has high blood pressure and triaditis — chronic inflammation of the liver, pancreas, and GI tract — along with gallbladder disease. His medications have slowed the progression but haven't brought his levels to where they should be — and he's now at the maximum dose of his blood pressure medication, leaving few options if his pressure climbs further. He also has a heart murmur that we are watching for any progression. His sister Sophia had the same one — what started as something simply to monitor for her became a six-month prognosis almost overnight. I am not willing to let that happen to Zak without catching it while it’s still treatable.

So, he needs an echocardiogram for his heart and an abdominal ultrasound, as he hasn’t had them since his initial diagnosis. He also needs a full bloodwork panel: over the past few weeks I’ve noticed him drinking, urinating, and eating significantly more than usual and crying after meals. His vet wants to rule out kidney disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism.

He’s overdue on all of it. I’ve been too sick and too stretched financially to get him in. That changes now — with your help.

What the $3500 covers ( cost breakdown listed at bottom)

Echocardiogram — to check for the progression of the heart disease that took his sister. Caught early, the right meds could give him and me many more happy years together — and more than anything, I want him to feel well.

Abdominal ultrasound — to find out the status of his liver, pancreas, and gallbladder

Full bloodwork + urinalysis — checking for diabetes, kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism

Dental treatment or cardio follow-up, depending on whether he’s safe to undergo anesthesia

His five daily prescription medications and Hill’s z/d prescription food — the regimen keeping him stable for the next 2 months as I work to stabilize my income. The prescription food isn’t optional — it’s the only kind of protein he can digest.

Why I’m asking

I have a health condition that has significantly worsened over the last few years, with new diagnoses that have seriously limited my ability to work and earn. I’m doing everything I can to change that — selling belongings, applying for flexible remote work, building a coaching practice — but these things take time Zak doesn’t have.

I also set aside funds years ago specifically for my cats’ future needs. When close friends found themselves in dire circumstances, I gave them a loan from that fund. It was never repaid — and it would have covered Zak’s care many times over, and then some.

Asking for help is extremely hard for me, but right now I have to put my pride aside for the sake of Zak.

If you can contribute — even a small amount — you are directly extending his stability and quality of life. If donating isn’t possible right now, please share this page. One share can reach the person who changes everything for him.

I’ll post updates as results come in so you know where things stand.

Thank you for helping keep Zak with me.

COST BREAKDOWN: I'll update this as results come in.

Echocardiogram: ~$500

Abdominal ultrasound: ~$425

Dental treatment (if cleared for anesthesia): $500–1,500 depending on extractions

OR Cardiology follow-up + heart medication: $ to be determined

5 Monthly prescription medications: ~$187/month

Hill’s z/d prescription food: ~$250/month

Additional medications if diagnosed with kidney disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism: $ to be determined once results come in

Litter: $48/ month ( he goes through 3 bags )

Blood pressure monitoring (every other month): $50/mo for 2 months =$100

Annual exam with full blood panel, rabies booster ~$450

TOTAL GOAL: $3500 ( includes 2 months of food, meds and litter while I try to secure work my body can manage and sell items)