I started a GoFundMe a while ago to help me pay for my cat's expenses, thinking it was a minor respiratory infection from the Miami-Dade County animal shelter, only to find out it was worse. After many vet visits, we found out from Pet Lovers Animal Clinic that he has a cleft on the roof of his mouth, which is basically a hole in the roof of his mouth that was either a birth defect or formed over time. I really don’t understand how Miami-Dade County shelter could miss that. When adopting him at the Petco in Cutler Bay, which is associated with the Miami-Dade County shelter, they informed me he was healthy and fine and showed us the paperwork stating he was fine. I took him home with the intention of saving an older cat, only to have to deal with constant snot everywhere and being in fear that he might one day choke and pass away from wheezing or choking on his food. I even went back to the Miami-Dade County shelter for help, hoping they would check him out, but all they did was give me medicine and tell me it might be a respiratory infection.

I won’t give up on my cat and have hope on him getting better. I’ve spent over $800 on vet bills to help him with his teeth and respiratory issues. The vet also informed me he has stage three deterioration in the teeth and bronchitis. His health status right now is really bad; he is wheezing, sneezing blood, lacks appetite, and is constantly sneezing.

I made this GoFundMe with the intention of getting help from others to help me with my vet bills because I am only 18 and got kicked out of my house 5 months ago, working a minimum wage job. My job barely pays to even buy groceries, and most of my money goes to my cat. I tried to get in contact with the Miami-Dade County Shelter in hopes of maybe them helping me out, but they can’t even guarantee they can. I really hope I can spread this around enough to help my cat out!! Anything helps