Hi my name is Hye Eun, the account owner of @ig.ratgirl on Instagram. My boyfriend, Ivan, and I have two ferrets, Tonka and Koda.

We recently found a suspicious bump on the right side of Tonka’s torso, which our veterinarian confirmed was likely a mast cell tumor (MCT). While MCTs are usually relatively harmless in ferrets, our vet strongly recommended that it be surgically removed as soon as possible. She explained that removing the tumor while it is still small offers the best prognosis and makes the procedure less invasive. We want to do everything we can to ensure Tonka is happy and healthy.

Ivan and I have always kept a savings fund for unexpected vet expenses, but the timing and cost of the surgery are unfortunately more than we can manage alone right now. As a graduate student and with Ivan working full time, every dollar we have goes towards our necessary expenses.

We are reaching out to the incredible, ferret-loving community to ask for support to cover the cost of Tonka’s:

We were given a low estimate of $971 and a high estimate of $1,343. The main differences between the low and high ends are the surgical bloodwork, additional anesthesia time, and medication.

Any donation made will directly contribute to Tonka’s medical bills and allow us to move forward with the procedure immediately, giving him the best chance at a swift recovery.

If you can’t donate, please consider sharing Tonka’s story! We will be sharing updates on @ig.ratgirl on Instagram.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and support about our fluffy little boy