Support Me, Riley & Greg’s Journey Back Home

Hello, my name is Helena, and this is my last hope to keep my cats. My two beloved cats, Riley and Greg, are not just pets—they’re my family, my “kids,” and my greatest source of comfort and strength.

On October 7th, we had to flee Lebanon due to the escalating war, forced to leave everything behind for our safety. With less than an hour to decide, I was given the difficult choice to evacuate. Within 12 hours, we had to board a plane. I couldn’t have predicted how hard it would be to bring Riley and Greg with me or how complicated it would be to find a stable situation for us after arriving. This decision cost me my job, my house, and my stability.

We were evacuated to Brazil, believing it would be a temporary solution. But life here has been more difficult than anticipated. Riley and Greg are confined to a small, 2-square-meter room in the garage because pets aren’t allowed inside the house. They can only go outside under supervision, and despite my efforts to give them more freedom with leashes, it hasn’t worked. This situation is heartbreaking, and it feels helpless to see them suffer every day.

Finding work here has been nearly impossible, and my savings are nearly gone. I’m struggling to support myself and my cats, and the thought of staying here long-term means having to give them up, which I cannot do. Riley and Greg have been with me through some of the toughest times, offering love and support when I needed it most. They are not just pets—they are family.

After much consideration, I’ve decided that sending Riley and Greg back to Lebanon to stay with my father is the best solution. My father is still there, and with the situation improving, he can provide a safe environment for them. While I work to rebuild my life in another country—it’s not possible to bring them with me right now due to financial and logistical challenges. Lebanon offers a more immediate solution for their care, and once I’m settled and find a job, I’ll bring them back to live with me.

However, this plan comes with significant costs, and I need your help to make it possible:

1. Rabies Titer Test: $300–$350 per cat ($600–$700 total). This test is required for layovers in Europe, as most affordable flights transit in Europe.

2. Flight Tickets from Brazil to Lebanon : $1,200–$1,800 for my ticket and $300 per cat for their airline fees ($1,800–$2,400 total).

3. Transportation to the Airport: $100 for a taxi, as buses in Brazil don’t allow two pets to travel simultaneously with one person.

4. Basic Supplies for Riley and Greg: $300 for food and litter to cover the months they’ll be with my parents in Lebanon.

5. Additional Travel Costs: $200 for unexpected fees such as pet carrier upgrades or transit expenses.

Total Estimated Costs: $3,500

This journey has been both emotionally and financially exhausting. I left Lebanon with the hope of keeping Riley and Greg safe.

To support myself, I sell my artwork as a digital illustrator on Instagram (@hellaa.j95). If you’re unable to donate but would like to support, purchasing one of my pieces would mean the world to me.

Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a huge difference. If donating isn’t possible, sharing this campaign would be incredibly helpful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me keep my promise to Riley and Greg and giving us a chance to stay together.

Helena, Riley and Greg