Happy New Year all you lovely folks

Another rare Kate journal update and a special one too as it's a call for some assistance. Not for myself but for a little kitten that needs some aid.

As my supporters on Patreon know I have a feral colony of cats that lives near my house that me and my wife try to see are at least fed and safe. Over the years we've had to take in a few kittens from this colony (ie four) we've found abandoned or in a bad way. This was on top of the three rescue cats we already had. We don't have a ton of money or not a lot of space but it's almost impossible for us to ignore an animal in distress. Most recently we found a black kitten we found sitting in the cold and rain with her eyes so infected she couldn't open them. Despite having six cats already we took her in, named her Obsidian (Obby for short), and did what we could to keep her alive. About a month ago I asked for assistance from my Patrons to help cover the unexpected medical costs for her. Which they amazingly did in short order and because of it Obby is healthy, growing, and on track for her second surgery tomorrow to have her second eye removed. She has a future and a forever home now and should be okay. ^^

Sadly Obby wasn't the only kitten outside or the only one with the infection. Others passed from that or related illnesses until there was only one left, a little tan boy I named Turken. He was always friendly, waited for his food at his favorite bowl, liked pets, and who had appeared to had beaten the virus that claimed his siblings. Only for the virus to spring up in his left eye. :(

Watching him lose his interest to eat, getting rail thin, and sickly was taking a heavy toll on me as I knew what was coming if something wasn't done. Having just taken Obby in we were over capacity with cats, short on space, and seriously lacking in funds. The local shelters are over capacity and won't take in a sick cat that needs surgery.

Last Wednesday when I took the trash out and grab mail Turken followed me every step of the way for the first time. It must have taken the last bit of energy to do that as he flopped at our doorstep afterwards. That was our breaking point and despite everything we took Turken in and got him a vet appointment for the next day. Which confirmed that we was very underweight, had an upper respiratory infection, worms, fleas, and would need to have his left eye removed. As he's underweight we have to wait a few weeks on the surgery while we get him healthy and treat the other issues. We got the meds to treat the fleas, worms, infections, virus, and eye drops to make sure he keeps the eye he has.

With just a few days of love Turken is looking healthier, putting on weight, cleaning himself, has kicked the fleas and worms out, and is learning quickly. He's already figured out the litter box, going up and down stairs, how to meow for food, and he adores his fellow orange kitties . Turken also loves laps and snuggles. And while Obby hasn't warmed up to him yet, Turken knows they're actually best friends and she just needs to be reminded. ^^

What I will need assistance with and what I'm calling out for is help paying Turken's upcoming surgical bill. The total cost we were quoted at our local women's humane society for the surgery (which includes removal of the eye, blood work, and being neutered) would total about $1,000. That's on top of the roughly $200 paid for the vet appointment made on short notice last week. So a total of around $1,200 USD. That's a cost that, on top of taking care of Obby, is not one we can afford at present. So I'm asking from the bottom of my heart for donations of any amount that can help us pay for Turken's surgery in the upcoming weeks. When I did this for Obby's surgery I found kind souls through my Patreon that wanted to help in kitten in need. That's why I'm reaching out through other channels to see if I can find a few more to give Turken the chance for a full, happy life. Any money received will go right to Turken's medical bills, medicine, and food. I'll update this post if/when I hit that mark. If I happen to get more, I'll make sure it's donated to the same women's humane society treating Turken and Obby. I'll also accept donations of love and well wishes for Turken and Obby if monetary donations aren't something you can manage. They certainly will need the positive vibes for healing up. <3

We are hoping to find him a forever home in the future but for now we'll be fostering him. We'll be forever appreciative of any assistance you lovely folks can provide. You can use either my PayPal or ko-fi link below to donate. You can leave a lovely comment for free. ^^

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/KateWroteIt

https://ko-fi.com/katemarquet

I'll close with a couple pictures of Obby, Turken, and a collage of Turken with your normally camera shy writer. ^^

**A warning to the squeamish that Turken pics 3 + 4 do show his infected eye, which isn't pretty.**

Turken Pic 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Obby sleeping

Turken and Obby Playing Pic

Turken and Kate Collage ^^


All my love and thanks,

Kate Marquet