UPDATE: Coquito's Eye Emergency ❤️

Thanks to your incredible support, Coquito has received the medical care he desperately needed. He was diagnosed with arthritis with hip dysplasia, glaucoma, and severe respiratory disease that had progressed to pneumonia. With treatment, medications, and lots of love, Coquito has made an amazing recovery. His pneumonia has resolved, his lungs are clear, and he's been enjoying life as the happy, affectionate senior we always knew he could be.

Since he has left the shelter, his rescue has already spent more than **$1,700** on his medical care because Coquito deserves every chance to live comfortably and pain-free.

Unfortunately, we're now facing a new emergency.

For the past three months, Coquito's glaucoma has remained stable with eye drops three times a day and frequent pressure checks. But over the last 48 hours, his eye has rapidly declined. Today, the redness, swelling, and cloudiness became severe, and we're extremely concerned that he may be experiencing significant pain or be at risk of losing his eye.

Because of this, we've scheduled an **urgent ophthalmology appointment today at 2:30 PM**.

The consultation alone is **$220**, and that's simply the cost to be evaluated. Any diagnostics, medications, or procedures needed to save his eye and keep him comfortable will be additional.

We're asking for your help once again.

Every dollar donated will go directly toward Coquito's ophthalmology care and whatever treatment is needed to preserve his vision, relieve his pain, and give him the quality of life he deserves.

Thank you for believing in Coquito. Your support has already changed his life once, and we're hopeful that, together, we can help him through this next chapter too. ❤️

Coquito was given a euthanasia deadline at the shelter.

Labeled “hospice,” he was expected to have days—maybe weeks—and urgently needed a foster or rescue just to make it out alive.

At the last moment, a group of dedicated advocates, volunteers, and one incredible foster stepped in. Coquito walked out of the shelter just in time—right before he almost didn’t make it.

But leaving under “hospice” meant something devastating: no medical support would follow.

His foster was faced with an impossible decision—return him to the shelter to be euthanized, or take on the full cost of his care privately.

We chose to fight for him.

A small group of us came together—his foster, volunteers, and experienced rescuers—to give Coquito a real chance. Not just to survive, but to be properly evaluated, treated, and, if possible, recover. And if not, to ensure he experiences true comfort, dignity, and love in whatever time he has left.

Coquito lived a hard life. He belonged to a homeless man who loved him deeply but ultimately couldn’t keep up with his growing medical needs. By the time Coquito reached the shelter, his condition had deteriorated significantly.

When we first met him, he could barely walk a few steps without collapsing from exhaustion. His breathing was labored. His gums were pale. He was struggling.

What we know so far

After full diagnostics—including X-rays, bloodwork, and ongoing specialist review—this is what we’re currently facing:

What we’ve already started

And already… he’s improving.

He’s walking more. He’s breathing better. He has more energy.

And most importantly—he’s happy.

Despite everything, Coquito is pure love.

He leans into you for pets. He begs you not to stop.

He just wants to be held, comforted, and close to someone.

He has made one thing very clear: He is not ready to go.

What he needs next

To continue improving and manage his pain long-term, Coquito urgently needs:

Why we’re asking for help

This effort is being funded privately by a small group of people who refused to give up on him.

A rescue professional has stepped in to help guide care and front costs—but Coquito is not backed by a formal rescue, and there is no organizational funding behind him.

Every dollar raised goes directly to his medical care.

How you can help

If you can donate, it will go directly toward giving Coquito the treatment, comfort, and time he deserves.

If you can’t donate, sharing his story makes a real difference.

Coquito was almost another shelter statistic.

Instead, he’s getting a second chance.

Let’s not give up on him— when he hasn’t given up on life.

Bills so far:

Exams, diagnostics and treatments so far - $1,111.25

Ongoing treatment- red light therapy $2520 ($280 per session, 3x a week, for 3 weeks)