Phoenix needs emergency surgery

Hi there we are the Lawtons, and we need to raise at least £4,000 quickly so that our cat, Phoenix, can have the emergency surgery he desperately needs.

Phoenix (or Catford/Lloris as he is also affectionately known) came into our lives when he was around 6 months old after his previous owner’s other cat didn’t want to share their human’s love with anyone else. Without knowing, he arrived into our lives at a time when we didn’t think we needed a cat – but boy did we need him! He is idolised, loved and adored without measure and absolutely came into our lives for a reason.

Last week he started showing trauma in his rear left leg and is unable to bear weight on it. We rushed him to the vets and following consultations and x-rays, we found out that he has snapped a ligament that supports his hock joint. The damage is so extensive that only surgery can save the leg – our other option is amputation. Without the surgery his leg will wither and die so we have very little time to raise the funds to save his leg, and vet bills aren’t cheap!

Our youngest son, Noah, is autistic, and Phoenix is not only his therapy cat, giving him comfort and someone Noah can talk to and keep him company, he is also his best friend. He sleeps with him, he goes out and plays with him, he sits next to him whilst he plays and he stays with him when he is struggling with the stresses of life. He literally cannot cope with the possibility that his best friend may end up losing a leg, and as his perceptions of situations is different to most people, he cannot process his feelings easily and these just escalate into full meltdowns, which are heart-breaking to watch.

Phoenix is loved by everyone in the family and also everyone who meets him. He has a wonderful temperament and is very loving. He is going to be 2 next month and this is such a young age for us to even have to consider the possibility of him losing a limb – especially when it can be saved.

The vets bills are insanely high and the current bill already stands at nearly £1000 in consultations, x-rays and medication. Saving his leg will cost at least another £3000 plus any extra medication and follow-up appointments he will require afterwards.

It is a massive figure, but we are not willing to give up and accept amputation just because that will be cheaper (by around £1500). It feels unethical – he is our boy and we want him to have a full, long and happy life, because he is so loved and he absolutely deserves the best! We are absolutely devastated and are willing to try anything to help him. This is where you can help – any donation, no matter how small will go towards Phoenix’s vet bills, surgery and aftercare. A tiny donation could genuinely make the difference between him being able to keep his leg or losing it. We are incredibly humbled and grateful for any amount you can spare.

Thank you in anticipation - we are so grateful

Phoenix’s family