My name is Ani. I’m a proud childless cat lady whose fur babies, Tuna and Snowsa, are the loves of my life.

In 2017, after months of struggling with a mouse problem in my Bed-Stuy apt, I responded to a Craigslist ad for a free 3-month-old kitten named Athena, who was a flea-ridden, squeaky little tabby. The name never really seemed to fit, so I promptly changed it to Tuna, and we went to the vet for a check-up and proper flea bath. There we learned that Tuna was actually a boy cat. We were fortunate to learn that he was also a very healthy guy; what followed was 3 years of delightful company with reliable pest control from our playful, energetic, and vocal feline friend.

In 2020, after noticing how happy Tuna seemed around other animals, we were approached by a friend whose coworker needed temporary foster care for his 3-year-old tuxedo cat. He had been living in the basement of a Brooklyn bodega because his owner’s pregnant wife did not want a cat around a newborn. We took him in, naming him Snowsa, and he quickly became Tuna’s best fur buddy.

Fast-forward to 2024, after struggling with my physical health and struggling to find work, I was forced to make the difficult decision to leave NY to live with my mother in VA, separating from my husband who agreed to take care of the cats for the time being.

I have been fortunate enough to visit them every couple of months but have been devastated without them. With things being so complicated with my marriage, those visits are no longer an option. Thankfully, my mother has agreed to let me bring them to live with me in her home in VA, where I have been recovering from a crisis with my health, unable to work due to illness, and waiting in vain for disability assistance.

So what am I asking for? I’m humbly seeking funds to adequately afford food and supplies for my cats. This includes wet food, dental treats, litter, cat carriers, scratching posts, collars, grooming supplies, rabies shots, and more. Every dollar donated will go straight to their care and well-being, though it is I who will appreciate your help reuniting me with them.