Sick Feral Cat

Hello there!

As many of you may know, feral cats are everywhere in the keys. There are efforts to control the population, but there are still many, many unwanted cats. There are about 5 of them who hang around my property that I provide food and fresh water for on a daily basis.

Lionel has been a regular fixture by my front door for a couple of years now. Feral cats which have been fixed have a notch on the ear to indicate. I believe Lionel was dumped by a previous owner who simply left him behind when they moved. He has been neutered but has no ear notch and he is also very affectionate and comfortable with humans. As much as I would like to adopt all the unwanted cats I see, I do not have the resources to do so.

Lionel has become very ill. In the last weeks he has been going rapidly downhill. He is painfully skinny, covered with mange and sores and has lost the ability to groom himself. He has trouble moving and appears to be in pain. He has been demanding help for the last few days. He has been "self-rescuing" by trying to dart into my house whenever I open the door and standing outside the door meowing loudly and insistently for hours on end. He is clearly in distress and asking for help.

My options are to simply have him euthanized, or pay to have him see a vet. Frankly, I am not comfortable making the decision to end his life simply because it is more convenient and less expensive. I also do not have the money to pay for veterinary care; but I refuse to allow that to be the deciding factor in whether or not this little man lives or dies.

I have booked him an appointment to see a vet today and hopefully they will be able to tell me how sick he is and whether or not recovery is possible for him.

If this moves you, please don't hesitate to donate. Every single dollar helps.

UPDATE: At our vet appointment yesterday we learned that this kitty has illnesses which, with treatment are not fatal. He has a severe upper respiratory infection, parasites and sarcoptic mange. Sarcoptic mange is extraordinarily destructive and dangerous as well as being highly contagious. It causes extreme weight loss, loss of hair and sores and scabs with oozy puss. There is a very high rate of morbidity with animals who contract this mange, but the good news is it is very treatable. The three needed medications along with the vet visit will cost the full amount of this fundraiser. I am hopeful more donations will arrive so we can successfully treat this little guy. Thanks for reading and thanks for caring! Sending love to you all!