My name is Eva and I am not fundraising for myself, but for my beloved 11-year-old cat, Starets. His name means "wise man" and he is my entire world, my heart. I do not have the words to express how much he means to me. Starets was a stray rescued from a high-kill shelter in Florida 10 years ago. He came into my life during a really hard time. He was my family when I had no family. He is smart, brave, and loving to all he meets. He loves to sit on the balcony and watch birds. He just discovered deer this year! He is a great big brother to his two cat siblings.

On Wednesday, I noticed that he wasn't feeling well and that he had a couple of episodes of vomiting. Thursday morning, before I left for work, there were a few more. When I came home from work, there were puddles of vomit around the apartment and he was listless. I took him to the ER that night and it wasn't a great experience. Yesterday, I took him to the vet and she diagnosed him with pancreatitis. We decided to try home care, but he got worse.

Starets is admitted to the ICU at Newtown Veterinary Specialists in Newtown, CT. The doctor called tonight and told me he has severe pancreatitis, which could be life-threatening. At this time, we do not know how he developed it. Initially, the plan was to keep him in the hospital until Monday, but because he's so sick, they are now thinking it will be a longer stay. I have depleted my accounts from the ER and vet visits. CareCredit will only cover Starets until Monday and, as life would have it, I canceled his pet insurance 4 months ago after several uneventful years.

At this point, I think the hospital stay would be another $5000 (possibly more). Starets is more than just a cat to me. He is my best and most loyal friend. How could I not try to repay him? He is family.

If you can chip in in any way, please help! If you have ever known the unconditional love of an animal in your life, please consider donating in their honor or memory. I would be most grateful. All donations will be used for the hospital stay and any future vet checkups.