Two months ago, I packed up my life to follow my dream — I moved to Oklahoma to begin my career as a zookeeper, something I’ve worked toward for years. The plan was simple: I’d settle in, and then my partner Alec and our beloved cat Oscar would join me to start our new chapter together.

But life had other plans.

Shortly after I left, Oscar became very sick. After countless vet visits, tests, and thousands of dollars in medical care, we finally have an answer: Oscar has idiopathic chylothorax. The only way to save his life is through a thoratic duct litigation — a major, life-saving surgery. Out vet says this is incredibly rare and he probably wont see another case of it in Tampa Bay for another 10 years. Without this surgery, we will lose him.

We’ve already spent so much money just to get him stable and diagnosed, and now we’re facing an additional surgery bill. In total, far beyond what we ever imagined we’d be up against. We’ve poured everything we have into getting him this far, but we can’t do the rest without help. We want to give him every chance we can to live a normal, healthy life again.

Oscar isn’t just a cat — he’s family. He’s Alec’s constant companion while I’m away starting this new chapter, and the thought of not bringing him here to join me is heartbreaking. He’s funny, sweet, endlessly curious, and at 7 years old, he still has so much life left to live.

This surgery will give Oscar the ability to live normally again. It will let him chase lizards, curl up with Alec, and eventually make the trip to Oklahoma so our little family can be whole again.

We’re asking, from the bottom of our hearts, for your help. Whether it’s $5, $10, sharing this page, or just sending us love, every little bit matters.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping us fight for Oscar’s life.