Help Save My Cat from Starving to Death

Short version

Hi everyone !

My name is Margot, and I’m reaching out because I really need your help to save my cat, Bernard.

Bernard is fighting for his life against a severe case of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and we need your help to give him a fighting chance.

In 2021, I adopted Bernard, a shy and underweight kitty with a history of neglect, from RSA, a no-kill shelter. Despite his rough start, I felt an immediate connection and knew I am his forever home. Over the years, Bernard has blossomed into a gentle, funny, and playful companion. He and my other cat, Criminal, quickly became inseparable friends. Bernard’s calm demeanor balanced out Criminal’s mischievous nature, making our home feel complete.

But now, Bernard’s health has taken a drastic turn. What started as occasional vomiting escalated into severe symptoms that led to an emergency diagnosis of IBD. Despite multiple hospitalizations and treatments, including endoscopies and balloon dilations, Bernard’s condition remains critical. The cost of these procedures, along with necessary hospitalizations, has become an overwhelming financial burden for me and my family.

Thanks to having health insurance, my family and I managed to pay the initial $6,860.47 (they covered $3,917.32). But with all the procedures and hospitalizations, we are now at a whopping additional $13,142.91!

Your support is crucial to saving Bernard’s life. Any donation, no matter the size, will directly contribute to his medical care. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this campaign can also make a world of difference.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support during this difficult time.

With gratitude,

Bernard and Margot

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Detailed version

Hi everyone !

My name is Margot, and I’m reaching out because I really need your help to save my cat, Bernard.

Our journey together began in 2021 when I adopted him from RSA (a non-profit organization and a no-kill shelter). I had recently moved out of an apartment I shared with roommates, one of whom had a very social cat. The separation was tough on both me and my cat Criminal, who missed the company of another feline friend. After several months, I felt we were ready to welcome another cat into our lives, and after a long search, I found Bernard. He was a shy kitty, coming from another, overcrowded, shelter, with a past that was mostly unknown. What I did know was that he was suffering from ear mites, bad teeth, a rhinovirus infection, and was incredibly skinny. Despite his rough start, for some reason he stood out to me and I felt a strong connection to Bernard. Even before meeting him, I kind of knew he was probably coming home with me.

When I met him, he was hiding in a small compartment in a cat tree, skin and bones, but after some gentle petting and soft words, he started to purr and even came out for treats. He immediately won my heart, and needless to say, he had found his forever family.

Bernard’s adjustment took time. He was shy and hesitant, but with lots of love, yummy treats, playtime (he’s more motivated by play than by treats!), and grooming sessions, he began to blossom. He became more confident, playful, and talkative (he has a lot to say!). He and Criminal quickly became best friends, balancing each other out perfectly with Bernard’s gentle, calm personality and Criminal’s more mischievous nature. Bernard is an amazing cat—gentle, funny, playful, and a professional biscuit maker. Over the last three years, he has come so far from the shy, depressed kitty I first met.

But now, Bernard and I need help. Recently, he started to become less energetic and more solitary. He wasn’t playing as much, either with me or with Criminal. We took him to the vet many times, but nothing abnormal came up—except for his teeth, which were so bad that most of them had to be extracted. But after that, he started to vomit. At first, just a little bit, but it kept getting worse. Then he started pooping blood. We immediately took him to the veterinary hospital, and after 4 days in intensive care and $7,000 later, we finally got a diagnosis: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). IBD is similar to Crohn’s Disease in humans—it’s a long-term illness that affects different parts of a cat’s digestive system and can even affect the pancreas and liver. Despite the diagnosis, the hospital sent us home with B12 injections and antibiotics, but no steroids or corticoids, which are often used to reduce inflammation. I questioned this, but we were sent home without them, leaving me feeling uncertain and worried.

As you can imagine, his condition did not improve, and after just a day back home, he was deteriorating again. His vomiting was so severe that he was starving to death; despite all my efforts, he couldn’t keep any food down. In desperation, I reached out to RSA (the shelter where I adopted him) for help. I was out of options and considering surrendering him in exchange for medical care. Fortunately, they recommended an amazing veterinarian who is familiar with IBD and much more affordable too. However, the repeated vomiting due to IBD caused stenoses (narrowing of the intestines and esophagus), and Bernard had to undergo multiple endoscopies and balloon dilations. The cost of these procedures, along with the necessary hospitalizations, has become an overwhelming financial burden for me and my family. Thanks to having health insurance, my family and I managed to pay the initial $6,860.47 (they covered $3,917.32). But with all the procedures and hospitalizations, we are now at a whopping additional $13,142.91 !

And so, any funds raised will go directly toward covering the costs of Bernard’s treatment and procedures.

Bernard has brought so much joy and love into our lives, and he came so far from the sad boy I met at the shelter. I want to give him the best chance I can to live, with a good quality of live. Your support, whether through a donation or by sharing this campaign, means the world to us. No contribution is too small, and every bit helps in getting Bernard the care he needs.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and generosity.

With gratitude,

Bernard and Margot