Good day, all. My name is James Malcom. I'm hoping to raise money to take my cat, Simba, to the vet to treat a persistent sinus & respiratory infection. It started in his sinuses last summer and has moved into his lungs. While the issue, currently, isn't life threatening, it does make his life less pleasant and isn't improving on its own.

Simba, his brother, Bugs the Wonder Cat, and a sister were dumped on a dead end street next to a patch of woods in 2016, when they were kittens. An elderly man, sole resident on that street, took them in and raised them. I stopped by occasionally to chat and bring food & milk to the cats.

He died 3½ years ago. Afterward, the apartment sat unoccupied, infested with vermin and invaded by vagrants, who trashed the place. After feeding Simba and brother Bugs outdoors for 3 years, I finally decided to clear them a space indoors, out of the weather.

There was ankle deep trash throughout the apartment. I spent two months by myself cleaning it up - removing all trash, furniture, and appliances, then sweeping up the dirt. The place is no longer fit for human habitation for several reasons, but it'll do fine for cats. I put bedding and boxes in a bedroom, which is where they live today. A 2nd bedroom is set up as a play room.

I live 2½ miles away, in a tent in the woods, surrounded by train tracks. I'm 60 y.o. and prone to attacks of gout (calcium crystals in the joints; very painful). I walk about 45 minutes, one way, almost daily to feed, check on, and spend time with my boys. I change their litter, give them fresh food & water, trap & remove any wild critters that get in (I leave the door partly open so the boys can get out if necessary), and referee any squabbles. They're essentially my kids and I love them dearly.

I work day labor, so getting them to a vet is nigh impossible for me, since work isn't always available. A neighbor helps me out with kibble, for which I'm grateful, and I get what I can. So it is that I need help getting vet care for my cat, Simba. I don't know what it'll cost, but I do know vets ain't cheap. So, to cover all my proverbial bases, I set a goal of $750 for the exam, medication, vaccinations, and any unforeseen contingencies that may arise. Hopefully, this will suffice. With a little help and some luck, Simba and Bugs will live long and happy lives.

Thank you for taking time to read this and for any help you care to give.

Sincerely,

James R. Malcom