Please help save my family from homelessness!

My name is Rachael. I am a single widowed mother of a 12-year-old cat dad and for years I have also taken care of my disabled mother (who was diagnosed blind this month as well). Fairly recently, we adopted a 6-month-old kitten from one of our local shelters. But in reality, he adopted us. I never truly believed in love at first sight until I met this little monster - but the moment the shelter worker put him in my arms I knew we were taking him home. We named him Kirby. He's cuddly, loving, sweet-natured and the missing piece our little family needed. Our family may be small and a little broken, but we are one of the best someone could join, and we love our new baby fiercely.

On June 28th, while he was wrestling around with our adult orange tabby, they knocked over a room divider and it landed on his back right leg - resulting in his upper femur fracturing into 5 pieces. I wasn't sure what damage was done at first as he still followed me from room to room, but only a few hours after the accident I decided to rush him to a local animal hospital as he was clearly in extreme pain.

After an exam and an X-ray, the veterinarian advised us of our options: surgical reconstruction (upwards of $6,000 dollars), amputation (around $2,000 dollars), or putting him to sleep (the cost of the xrays and examination, around $500 dollars). It was painful to admit there was no way I was going to be able to afford any sort of reconstructive surgery, but there was absolutely no way we could lose this cat. I had to make a choice at that moment - use my rent money to save his life and amputate his leg, or have him put down. I chose to save his life, and I would deal with the consequences. Surely, with all the proof I have available, my rental company would be understanding. I was very wrong.

It should be noted here that I am an excellent tenant. I have been living at this address for five productive years. I keep the property very clean and have made numerous improvements myself to the exterior and interior; the actual owner of the property has always been very happy and effusive about my tenancy, especially considering some of the damage, back rent and bills other tenants who have lived on this property have left him with (I repaired some of that damage on move-in, as well).

I contacted my rental company as soon as the event happened, including sending pictures and receipts. I told them I would be able to pay them by the end of August (and still manage to pay August's rent as well), and it was indicated to me that that would be fine. However, on July 10th, I received a 10-day notice for late payment or to vacate the premises. I paid them everything I had ($400.00) after paying my electricity and water bill to avoid disconnection. We have no food. I can't afford medication for my mother. I can't afford school supplies. I have barely enough money to keep myself

afloat.

On July 24th, the rental company began court proceedings. I have until 08/14/2023 to pay July and August's rent and all associated fees or my family will be out on the street. I have worked so damn hard and pulled us up from zero so many times - I'm losing my strength and ability to do so. We can't afford to be homeless, and it is such a short amount of time that I'm having trouble making plans. I have contacted rental assistance agencies that are out of funds, and churches that are out of funds. I honestly did not expect my rental company to be so monstrous, but here we are. I hate asking for help. I hate it in my bones. But I'm desperate, again. Yet strangely, I would still make all the same decisions about this silly cat.

Please help take care of my family where I cannot.