Save Louie's Eyes

Louie was one of the first cats I met when I moved to Bed Stuy. He’s always been a colony regular, but even post-neuter, has never really wanted to be friends. For the most part, we co-exist: he avoids me at all other times except when it’s time for breakfast or dinner. In the morning and the evening, he’s there faithfully, every day, waiting for his bowl of food. He’s a shy, sweet boy; a part of the colony, but not the leader, always backing down to the others.

A few months ago, Louie showed up squinting his eye. I thought, maybe a scratch, maybe it will heal on its own. But, it didn’t, and instead progressively got worse with time. Eventually a thick film covered both eyes. I tried numerous times to re-trap him, but to no avail; he was terrified of the traps and would run every time I brought one outside. Feeling hopeless and overwhelmed, I let it be.

But a few weeks ago, we’d gotten to the point where we weren’t sure if poor Louie could see at all. There was no longer the option to wait and see, no more feeling helpless: something needed to be done, and soon. So, as always, with my rescue friends standing behind me, I was able to trap Louie [email redacted]eet.cat.club’s set-over cage, and brought him inside.

To make an already long story not much longer, my friends Dana who works with Brooklyn Animal Action helped us get an appointment at an eye specialist in LIC, and so Chris and I brought him there on Thursday morning. I feared the worst — that he was blind, that Louie would lose his once-beautiful eyes, that whatever caused this would kill him. But, somehow, that’s not Louie’s fate. The vet diagnosed him with eosinophilic keratitis (EK), and felt confident that an aggressive course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory meds would have Louie seeing again in no time.

He’ll likely need drops for the rest of his life, but his life will be long. And so begins our three-a-day, three-week course together, and the start of Louie’s life indoors. I cried the whole way home.

Louie's bill from the specialist this week was $393. He'll need a follow up appointment in three weeks, and will need the normal vetting that all cats who come indoors go through -- vaccines, an FIV/FeLV test, dewormer, flea meds -- plus the cost of supplies for him: litter, food, toys, etc.

It isn't *all* that much when you look at the numbers rescuers are used to seeing, but on top of the other 8 cats I've taken in for rescue this month alone, it really starts to add up. Any amount you can spare to help me offset the Louie's costs would be very much appreciated <3