Toby, Neighborhood Tabby Cat, Hit by a Car

Jacquie Jordan is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Happy 5th of July from Toby!

I've put on weight! My ribs and spine are no longer showing. I traded in the outdoors for rolling around in catnip to my indulgence, indoors - I even like peanut butter! (Hey, you think there is a correlation?) I often get in trouble because I try to hump the Hot 17 year old black and white cat, Julie. I hope I don't get kicked out! But, what can I say, she's a nice pussy cat! Forgive my typing, I'm using one paw! Hey, thank you again for helping me out! You truly gave me my freedom!

UPDATE - Monday 6/5/23

Sweet Toby is doing great! His esophagus feeding tube has been removed and he is fully eating on his own, and putting on weight slowly. He is 4.5 years old. He is chatty and talks about everything. He is also extremely curious, and was fixed while he was in the hospital. If you donated, please email me your mailing address - as Toby would like to send a thank you card: [email redacted]. I also added the bill for transparency of how the donations were used. Thank you. Toby Hospital Bill

UPDATE - Sunday 5/28/23

Yesterday, Toby started eating from his mouth. He had pureed Chicken Liver, Vital Cat Meat, mixed with his medical Royal Canin. If he continues to eat on his own, which he has - 4 meals and counting, the surgeon will remove the tube from his neck this week

. I don't know, but I imagine, that will have hospital cost as well, so thank you for the continued donations.

UPDATE - Thursday 5/25/23

People are so nice for thanking me for this, but I can only do it because you are helping me. Shout outs to Laura Mc for her Women's Circle Prayer Group last night; for our double donors Jason K & Carola; for our Highest Donors Joanna M and Matthew M (with Terry); for our neighbors who donated both money, crates, washable pee-pads, time, social media postings with "Get the Word out Urgency" (Mary, Jessie, Vera, Linda, Janet, Karen, Lisa, Angela, Susan, Mario, Carola, Dawn, Barbara, Judy, Julie, Misti); Local businesses - Mario - (neighbor and business owner - Palmer Nutritious) & (Karen, Mellow Mushroom who delivered Mellow Mushroom pizza to the animal hospital staff); family members - (Justin, Theresa, Susan, Janice, Penny); My Pickleball Family (Sparta Amy, Lorimer, MariRosa, Melissa); Core Connections support (Janice, Joe, Jason, Kathie & Kadie); My California Tribe - All of you are rock solid for me (Constance, Michelle, Sally, Albert, Richard F., Jeff B., Karen S., Roger, Vickie F., Amy J., Barbara A., Joanna, Misti); from Australia (Liz); from Tennessee (Tracy & Laurie); from New York (Joanna & Rebecka); Sparta (Amy & Jeanne-Marie); Starseeds & Healers (Laura, Laurie, & Liz & Liz!); to all the real men who love cats (Jason, Joe, James, Manny, Mario, Roger, Joe, Jeff, Justin, Jose, Albert, Richard, Matthew, and Terry!) (Amy J) for the support and the moment to moment decision making from the Emergency Room and sitting there with me for hours! (Stephanie C., with Crystal!) for all the muscle, admin, effort, and tears around rescue over the years, and who has shown up on our doorstep! (Susan G. & Albert O.) - I have you two to blame for watching me soften and become courageous like this! Michelle M. from the Humane Society who responded and offered resources and information! Thank you Jessie for getting me through the first few feedings! Or should I say, "Getting Toby, through the first few feedings with me!"... and all the well wishes, prayers, and check-ins that may not be mentioned here (or missed by accident).

UPDATE - Wednesday 5/24/23

Brought Toby home today. He has an esophagostomy tube in the side of his neck for feeding until his jaw and cleft palate properly heal. I must admit, I was overwhelmed by learning what is required to convalesce Toby and feed him through his neck tube. The hospital was extraordinary in walking me through the process, even though I wanted to faint. The hospital met me on the bill, which was extraordinary, and I walked away with a $7,300.00 bill - which was offset by the current $3k of donations generously and graciously given here. Local neighbors have offered to check in or assist with feedings.

I borrowed a large dog crate, which we set up with a brand-new cat bed and litter box. Since being home, he's used the litter box and has been sleeping. I do my first feeding and change shortly with the goal to allow the mouth to heal and rest until he can eat on his own again. Feel free to reach out! Thank you again!

The convalescent routine of food and medicine for Toby.

UPDATE - 5/22/23

Thank you so much for the prayers, well wishes, and financial support. As you can see in the picture below, Toby is making a strong recovery. The last hurdle is getting him to eat on his own. His jaw was pushed through the pallet of his mouth, but he didn't break a tooth. Once he gets over the hurdle of eating on his own (because it's painful) - he should make a full recovery. When I visited him in the hospital guest room this morning, he heard a dog bark in the hallway and jumped with his broken leg onto a chair without missing a beat... a few pain meds and adrenaline, but clearly - he will heal.

Toby in recovery.

ORIGINAL NOTE

I'm Jacquie Jordan and you know that I stay conscious and aware of the needs of our animals, especially when they literally come to my doorstep. Toby (the name I've given him) is a beautiful neighborhood orange tabby cat that has potentially been abandoned by a snowbird, as he stops by every night in front of my door to say hi. He has been making visits around the neighborhood since December 2022. He is super-friendly, outgoing, and not necessarily feral. He has never taken food from me, wears a collar without a tag, is not chipped, and is not fixed for a male cat. He is around 3-5 years old.

Thursday, May 18th, Toby came to my doorstep and I saw him laying on the front porch, which he sometimes does. However, upon closer inspection, I realized he had been hit by a car and needed immediate attention. His will to survive by making it to my doorstep made me aware that he was seeking help. As Toby was able to stay conscious, present and cooperative, I took it as his plea for help. I rushed him to the local animal hospital for evaluation, stabilization, and diagnostics.

He is still at the hospital receiving the best possible care. Toby is currently undergoing a CT scan to make sure his mouth is viable.

I have put up my personal money so far of $3,500.00 to help get the cat through the first 24 hours of triage and hospitalization to stabilize and diagnose Toby. We still expect surgery to come soon. If you can contribute $20.00 - thank you. And at the very least, help drive awareness, all help is welcomed and greatly appreciated.

Donations may also be made directly to Suncoast Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center on S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. [phone redacted]. Please share the info of either Jacquie Jordan or Toby the Orange Tabby Cat.

Any additional monies will be shared with the local Humane Society in Sarasota and the Compassion Project.

Thank you,

Jacquie Jordan