I caught Silver as a kitten under a dumpster behind a Red Robin in San Diego. I stayed out there for two full days and nights until I had him and his entire family safe.

This was back in 2021. That was the beginning of his life with me — and I'm asking for help now because I can't afford to save him a second time on my own.

Silver needs surgery as soon as possible. He has a chronic condition that causes his intestines to block up, and right now a restriction is preventing him from eating. This will be his second surgery for it. Without the procedure, he can't keep food down — and a cat who can't eat doesn't have long.

If you met Silver, you'd never guess anything was wrong with him. He's a giant, goofy sweetheart — a "house panther" with a head the size of a softball and more enthusiasm than sense. He runs too fast to catch, drapes himself out of cat trees like he's melting, and stands up on his hind legs when he wants pets (see the video below!!). Even when he is absolutely terrified on the vet's exam table, he still pushes his head into the vet's hand for neck scratches. He has the best spirit of any cat I've ever rescued, and he does not deserve what his body keeps putting him through.

How we got here: I run a small, personal cat rescue. When you rescue, you find homes for the healthy, easy ones — and you become family to the ones nobody else can take on. Silver and his sister Tikal both have chronic stomach conditions that made them impossible to adopt out, so they became mine. Over the years I've paid for everything myself:

-Over $60,000 for Val's three surgeries and month-long hospital stay

-Tikal's stomach surgery — the same condition as her brother

-Silver's first intestinal surgery

-Ongoing prescription diets, medications, and vet care for multiple special-needs cats

I paid every one of those bills gladly, out of my own pocket, without ever asking anyone for anything. But I've now spent everything I have on these animals. I have nothing left, and Silver can't wait.

Where your donation goes:

-Silver's surgery to remove the intestinal restriction

-Post-surgical vet care and monitoring

-The prescription medicated food and recovery care he'll need afterward

Every dollar goes directly to Silver's care. There's no organization and no overhead — it's just me and the cats.

If you can give anything at all, it would mean the world to me. And if you can't donate, sharing this fundraiser genuinely helps — every share gives my sweet boy a better chance to heal and keep going.

Thank you for reading Silver's story. He means everything to me. I will update everyone on his progress.