UPDATE!! Since Severus/Sylvester's dental surgery will be between $1,307.80 and $2,247.10, we have decided to increase our fundraiser to $1,700. We are almost there!! Only $62 until we reach our goal!!! Please share!! You all are amazing!!!!

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Hi there! My name is Ines Aviles-Spadoni, and I run the @campuskittiesfl Instagram page, which shines a spotlight on the ear-tipped community cats living on the University of Florida campus. Our mission is to raise awareness about these incredible cats, share their stories, and connect caring people who want to help them live safe, healthy lives.

Recently, one of our beloved campus cats, a tuxedo cat named Severus/Sylvester, captured all of our hearts — and now he urgently needs your help.

We’re raising $1,500 to give Severus/Sylvester, this gentle feline soul, the chance to live without pain. He’s been diagnosed with feline gingivostomatitis, a devastating dental disease that causes severe, chronic inflammation of the gums and mouth.

Every bite hurts. Eating is agony. Without surgery, he would slowly starve to death.

The only cure — and his only chance — is to remove all the teeth behind his canines. The estimated cost ranges between $1,307.80 and $2,247.10, and our goal of $1,500 will cover:

The good news: Cats who undergo full-mouth, OR multiple teeth extractions can live long, happy, pain-free lives. With your help, Severus/Sylvester will be able to finally eat without pain!!

From Campus Streets to a Second Chance

Severus/Sylvester’s story began on the UF campus, where he has wandered around since May of this year — all friendly, talkative, and way too trusting to be a homeless street cat. It was clear he once belonged to someone. He was dumped.

Kaleigh, a caring UF student, took him to Operation Catnip to be neutered and vaccinated. She then bought him a collar with a GPS tracker and ID tag that read:

“Do not steal. Community cat. Severus/Sylvester."

She even included a cell number to call. Soon enough, students began to notice him and would call us. One rainy night, Jack — another kind UF student — found him shivering in the rain. Jack took off his jacket and wrapped it around Severus/Sylvester to keep him warm. His mom from North Carolina even called us all worried about him!! Christina, another caretaker, told us that Severus/Sylvester would cry out and paw at his mouth in pain. She was devastated when she saw this the first time and was in tears. “He would jump into my car,” she said, “as if to say, please take me home.”

These acts of kindness brought Kaleigh, myself and Christina together to pull him off the streets. He’s now safe in foster care, finally warm, fed and loved. But he’s still in pain, and we are looking for a forever home for him. This surgery is his only path to healing.

You Can Change His Life!

Please consider donating to help Severus/Sylvester get the dental surgery/teeth extractions he desperately needs. Every dollar makes a difference, and no amount is too small. We need the @campuskittiesfl community to pull together for Severus/Sylvester!!!

If you can’t give, please share his story so others can help. Together, we can end his pain and give him the happy, loving life he deserves.

Please donate today and help Severus/Sylvester heal, eat, and finally know he’s home.

Thank you!!!!