It’s really difficult for me to ask for help but I’d do anything for Phoebe so I’ve had to swallow my pride and create this fundraiser….

I got my beautiful girl, Phoebe. from a rescue when she was just ten weeks old, and she turned seven in March.

Phoebe was diagnosed with autoimmune polyarthritis when she was only two years old, so she’s been on immunosuppressants and steroids every day since. Then, at just three and a half, she was diagnosed with diabetes requiring insulin injections twice a day. Because of the diabetes, she needed cataract surgery and now has eye drops twice a day. She also has a hooded vulva, which needs to be wiped twice a day—combined with the diabetes and immunosuppressants, it makes her very susceptible to infection.

Phoebe has almost died three times from infections, but she’s such a fighter—and to the surprise of her vet specialist, she’s pulled through every time.

She’s the sweetest, most loving girl and she’s now the “healthiest” she’s ever been. It’s like she knows how much I care for her and understands that everything we do each day helps her feel better.

Thank goodness for pet insurance! Even with 80% of her costs reimbursed, I’ve still spent nearly $26,000 over the past five years…. But here’s my dilemma: her insurance premium has increased to nearly $3,500 this year. As I'm now a single mum of two, with a mortgage and little financial support from my ex, that kind of cost just isn’t in my budget anymore.

No other insurer will offer cover due to all of her pre-existing conditions and I can't let her policy lapse until I am in a better financial position or her current insurer won't reinstate the policy. Her cyclosporine alone costs $440 every three months and on top of that there are the costs of insulin, needles, eye drops, probiotics, annual check-ups and if she gets an infection obviously the emergency vet costs are extremely high.

If you're able to help at all, even the cost of a coffee would be very much appreciated, I'd be extremely grateful xx