Save Zuko's Paw — surgery on four fractured bones

Zuko is a big fluffy rescue who aside from hairballs has been entirely healthy. Until he slipped and fractured his paw.

The vets have advised me that without surgery within the next week, the nature of the fractures means the paw could heal deformed, causing him pain and even eventual amputation. Three-legged cats might be popular on Instagram but this is not at all an aspiration of ours.

The cost of surgery is estimated to be:

$2,700 aud + additional aftercare costs of around $600 aud

This is on top of:

$341 aud emergency vet consult

$851 aud Initial vet consult + X rays + Medication + Splint

(Receipts will be added to pictures as they come)

In total = $4,492 aud approx

I’m Fantine, his owner. I am a student and casual worker. I do not have the financial means to pay for all of the vet costs. Recently, I have experienced unexpected financial drains, and although I keep a vet fund, surgery will exceed my overall savings. I’m asking for help via donations, whether that’s $1 or $5 or more. I would be extremely grateful for anything at all.

I am currently hoping to raise at least $3000 to cover part of the costs.

Zuko is my lil guy. I adopted him whilst still a teenager, during a lonely period of moving into my first rental. He’s been with me through my late teens and now my 20s. He’s a night-time snuggler and loves chirping at the birds. He’s the least aggressive cat I’ve ever met, but he was in so much pain last night that he hissed at me for the first time ever.

His paw is completely floppy like there are no bones holding it together. I am trying to stay positive and grateful there is no internal bleeding or further damage, but this is a difficult time and I have no idea how I can pay the estimated total.

Again, I would be so, so grateful for any amount you are able to donate. I acknowledge it is a difficult time for many, so understand that this is not a small ask. If anyone has experience with this sort of thing feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @fntine

Thank you,

Zuko & Fantine