Meet Buddy. The cat who started it all.

Buddy is around 8 years old, though no one knows his exact birthday. One day, he simply showed up at the house that would later become the heart of A Tail in Need Animal Rescue. He never left. And in many ways, neither did the idea that love, care, and persistence could change lives.

Before the rescue even officially existed, there was Buddy. He became family first. The rescue followed.

Buddy is the kind of cat who wants to be wherever you are. If you move rooms, he follows. If you sit down, he’s there. He’s gentle, affectionate, and endlessly grateful for warmth and safety. He’s also been quietly fighting a painful condition called stomatitis, an autoimmune disease that causes severe inflammation in the mouth and gums.

Buddy has already been through a lot. He’s had a heart echocardiogram and a partial tooth extraction in the past. A few weeks ago, he received a pain-relief injection and antibiotics, which helped briefly—but the relief has worn off. Now, the disease has progressed, and Buddy needs a full mouth tooth extraction. Unfortunately, the remaining teeth are the hardest and most expensive ones to remove.

To complicate things further, the vet has noticed that Buddy’s heart condition appears to have worsened. Before surgery can safely happen, he needs another heart echocardiogram, which alone costs $600. Only if his heart can tolerate sedation can the dental surgery move forward.

This is not optional care. Without the full extraction, Buddy will continue to live in pain. Eating hurts. Existing hurts. And yet, he still seeks affection. He still trusts. He still curls up beside the people who saved him.

Buddy isn’t just another rescue cat. He is the reason A Tail in Need exists. The cat who unknowingly sparked a mission that has helped countless others.

Now, it’s Buddy’s turn to need help.

Every donation—no matter the size—goes directly toward:

• A cardiac echocardiogram with a veterinary cardiologist

• Sedation monitoring due to his heart condition

• Full mouth tooth extraction

• Post-surgical care and pain management

If Buddy has given you anything just by reading his story—comfort, hope, a reminder of why rescue matters—please consider giving back to him.

Let’s help the cat who started it all live the rest of his life pain-free, loved, and right where he belongs.

Thank you for loving Buddy.