Help Butters afford her treatment

Butters is a fifteen year-old cat who was recently abandoned by her owners--my ex-neighbors. Last summer, I spent a lot of time with her when passing by her home, as she would always be on the front porch. She was the sweetest little thing, and I was able to learn her name and age from her previous owners. Her once-owners moved out recently, and I learned from my other neighbors that Butters had been abandoned. When I learned this, she had already been a stray for about two to three months. I was completely heartbroken by this news, and I wasn’t able to just allow her to continue being a stray, especially at her age. Despite not being financially prepared to support a senior cat, I had to give her a home. Over the past three weeks, Butters and I have both grown so close to each other, and I have become more discontent with the idea of rehousing her as I had initially planned. I love her, and I just can’t allow her to experience the loss of the people she loves and trusts again. I want to ensure that she has the happiest and most comfortable years left of her life that she possibly can.

Unfortunately, supporting a senior cat has been as expensive as I had expected. The only thing that’s shocked me is how quickly the medical bills have piled up. I’ve only had Butters for roughly three weeks now, and I’ve already spent nearly $700 on her vet expenses. Here is a cost breakdown:

Cytology: $73.70

Senior Screen (blood work): $285.39

Ear Cleaning (her ears were full of gunk): $54.89

FVRCP Vaccine 4wk: $45

FIV/FeLV Snap Test (she was negative!): $63.50

Office visit: $85

UTI medication: $80.27

Once I received the blood work results, I learned she has a bacterial UTI and IRIS Stage 2 chronic kidney disease (CKD). I am currently treating her UTI, which her medications cost $80. We have not yet discussed what course of treatment she will need to undergo for her CKD, although it will likely include putting her on an expensive diet. I am expected to take her in again a week after she finishes her UTI antibiotics, and a month from now for a booster shot. The vets also mentioned moderate to severe gingivitis, and that we would discuss dental work at our next appointment. I am also looking into pet insurance, which, for a senior cat, I am told would cost roughly $100 per month.

The costs are racking up quickly, with more to come, and I'm afraid I won’t be able to fully support her on my own income. Although the goal I’ve set likely will not cover all of her current and future expenses, it should provide some relief for me while I am able to build up more funds to support her.

Thank you so much if you are able to help out or share.