Nice to meet you! My name is Tyler, and I am the proud Person-In-Charge of two beautiful, wacky cats- Molly and Smokey.

They are the light of my life, and are both still quite young- Molly is nine years old, and Smokey is only 8.

Unfortunately, this past summer (July 10th, 2024 specifically), Smokey was diagnosed with cancer. She had developed several small, pea-sized mammary tumors just under her left arm.

Due to a heart murmur she has, we were referred to a specialist for surgical options... and were quoted almost $10,000 USD to do a double-chain mastectomy and remove all her mammary glands as well as the tumor. This quote did not even include the potential chemotherapy she'd be recommended to undergo after the surgery. This was presented as the only real option, due to how aggressive cancer, especially mammary cancer, is for cats.

I am a high school art teacher- and I did not have $10,000 USD saved up for such a costly medical procedure. I still don't. Until recently, Smokey and I have been operating on the basis of "we can't afford treatment, so we will give her as many good experiences as possible until she starts to show signs that her quality of life is beginning to decline... and then we will make the Final Appointment."

A few weeks ago, I noticed her energy was declining, and I brought her to our vet thinking it was time to schedule that Final Appointment and that I'd only have a few days left with her. The guilt has been immense- I feel like I've let her down.

Luckily, there was a substitute vet in that day who offered us a different option-

As a form of palliative care (will not cure the cancer, but will ease the symptoms), he recommended getting surgery JUST to remove the tumor, which is now a bit larger than the size of a golf ball. This would immediately improve her quality of life, and give her potentially several more months to, if we're very lucky, another year.

Today we consulted with the surgical vet he recommended, and got some early quotes on procedure costs. Due to her heart murmur and the cancer, she will need a combination of x-rays and an ultrasound to determine best course of action for the surgery. These two diagnostic procedures were quoted at about $750-$800 USD.

They drew her blood for bloodwork to make sure her liver and kidneys were healthy enough for surgery, which came in at $145 USD.

We have not yet received a quote for the cost of the surgery itself, but earlier discussions had mentioned that the procedure typically runs between $1200 - $1500 USD.

All total, we are currently looking at about $2500 for the bloodwork, x-rays, ultrasound, and surgery to remove the tumor.

Smokey is one of the best parts of my life.

She greets me at the door when I come home, and sees me off every morning when I leave for work.

She makes the most incredibly disdained, murderous faces while purring up a storm, and snuggling up to your feet.

She has the roundest, smallest face I've ever seen and weighs, as an otherwise average adult cat, a solid 7 pounds- she's a tiny terror.

She has a white "bikini"- patches of fur on her chest and belly that look like a swimsuit.

She's lightning fast at catching ribbon toys, but stares you down if you dare try to trick her with a laser-pointer.

She's so full of life.

And she's only 8 years old.

I don't want to say goodbye to her just yet- she should have so much more life left to live, but we're living on borrowed time.

With your help, I'd like to extend the time she has left, and improve her comfort and quality of life by removing the mammary tumor swelling under her arm.

If you have ever had the joy and privilege to be caretaker, parent, and friend to an animal of your own, please consider helping me to help my beloved girl.

Smokey and I both thank you for your consideration.