Last week, I came across a woman sitting on a bench in a park with her beautiful cat and several bags. I was astonished at how calm the cat was sitting on the bench beside her. I'm a cat lady too, so I immediately gravitated to them.

I tried not to pry too much, but I did ask the woman about her situation. The woman shared that she lost her job, could no longer afford her rent, and for the last four weeks, has been living in the park. She said a lot of her family had passed on, and/or does not live in the area, or isn't in a position to take her in. She refuses to stay in a shelter because her cat (Tink) is her baby, and all she has, and shelters do not allow pets. I asked if she would surrender Tink to a foster home until she got back on her feet, and she reminded me that Tink was her baby and the only thing helping her get through this time.

Since meeting this woman, I have visited her and Tink regularly. She has not asked me for anything. The one thing she needs most, I can't provide, which is shelter for her and Tink. She said Tink was not spayed because she was always an indoor cat, up until four weeks ago. Therefore, I have Tink on a waiting list with the organization Stand For Animals to get her vaccinated and spayed.

I'm only one person and trying to help her as much as I can. My heart breaks for them as I watch them endure this heat and the afternoon thunderstorms sitting on a park bench every day.

To make matters worse, the woman must sleep sitting up because if she lays down, officers make her leave the park. There have been nights when she woke up to men attempting to rape her and was only saved by her own screams.

Furthermore, I noticed the woman's feet are extremely swollen, which is probably from sleeping sitting up for so long. She has a cyst on her leg from a spider bite, and she informed me she had a lump on her breast, with no means of getting medical attention. Her story is tragic, and I don't see how it will improve unless others step in to help.

She gave me permission to share her story, and I'm hoping that by doing so, others may be able to help her or know of a safe place she and her cat can stay. I want to raise at least enough money for her and Tink to stay in a hotel until she can find a safe permanent solution. Anything helps.

Thank you for your time and consideration.