Hey everyone, our names are Danilo and Felipe and we’re the proud cat parents of Preto and Mochi.

Last week our youngest baby, Preto, got really sick after swallowing something he shouldn’t have. He was throwing up water, not eating, not going to the bathroom, hiding all the time, and you could just see in his little face that he was in pain. We rushed him to the vet, and after running a bunch of tests—including an ultrasound that alone cost us $1,500—they found something in his stomach that had hurt him pretty badly. The only way to save him was surgery, and it had to be done fast. The first hospital quoted us $11,000, which was insane. We panicked and searched for another option, and finally found a place that did it for $8,500. We really had no choice—saving Preto was all that mattered.

After talking with friends about the insane cost, a few of them suggested we start this GoFundMe to help us cover some of the bills. With the economy the way it is and how ridiculously expensive healthcare (and pet care) is in this country, honestly any little bit helps.

The good news: Preto is back home now, slowly recovering and getting showered with love. For those wondering what he swallowed—it was the elastic from a toy . He’s super curious and always getting into trouble, but he’s our baby and we just want him healthy and happy again.

If you’re a cat lover or just want to help, we’d be beyond grateful for any support. Thank you so much for reading and for sending love to our little guy ❤️.