No Eyes? No Problem!

Hi Friends!

After much ado, Keller and Sullivan are finally heading to the vet for their eye and spay/neuter surgeries.  We needed them both to hit 3 lbs, and for Kelly's seizures to stabilize.  Thankfully, they have met both of those criteria!

Background:

Keller and Sullivan were born with a condition called microphthalmia.  Their eyes didn't fully develop in utero (probably due to their mom being sick with a virus while pregnant), so they were born without eyes.  Both kittens are completely blind.

While they don't have eyeballs, they do have eyelashes, tear ducts, and sensitive skin in their cute little eye sockets.  Their eyelashes rub against the sensitive skin, and dust and debris can get stuck where their eyeballs should be, causing irritation, discomfort, and infection.   They can be relieved from this discomfort and prevented from getting eye infections by removing all of the unnecessary tissue and sewing the eye sockets closed.  (This is the same surgery Bop had!)

As you all know, Kelly and Sully are happy, friendly, affectionate, incredible little kitties and these surgeries are necessary for getting them on their path to find a forever home (together, of course!).  

Why Fundraise?

As is the case for all rescues, Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation's (LDCRF) ability to take in special needs cats and kittens is tied directly to the availability of resources.  As a non-governmental entity, the rescue depends entirely on donations and adoption fees to vet and care for all animals that come into the program.  

Special needs cats and kittens consume a lot of resources that could otherwise be used to spay/neuter and vaccinate numerous "normal" cats and kittens, so additional funds need to be found to allow for the intake, care, and adoption of cats and kittens that are going to require extensive medical care.  As the volunteer cat intake coordinator for LDCRF, I think you all can imagine that the special needs cats and kittens are the ones that pull most strongly on my heartstrings!

This is why we are asking for help! Your donations can help us get Keller and Sullivan's surgeries and  can help us care for more cats like them (like Tom, Luke & Leia, and Wilford (to name just a few of the medical fosters we've had this year!)  

(All donations will go directly to  Lost Dog and Cat Rescue, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity:  https://www.lostdogrescue.org/).  

Why $2500?

Keller and Sullivan's surgeries are anticipated to cost $1,000 each.  We are hoping to raise additional funds to help with medical costs for Tom.  (Ian and I have already personally spent over $1100 on Keller's care (for her emergency vet visit and neurology consultation), and the rescue has already spent about $500 on testing for Tom).  

Any funds received above our goal will go towards the medical care of future fosters.  The more donations we receive, the more special needs cats and kittens we can take in.   

Again, all donations will go directly to Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation.   

A Few Things:

* We know this has been a very tough year for many, many people- please do not donate if doing so would cause any discomfort to your budget!

* If you want to help cats/kittens but feel unsure about donating towards this fundraiser for whatever reason, please please please consider making a donation to a shelter or rescue near you instead.  I guarantee you they will be incredibly grateful and can use the funds towards helping cats in your own area. 

* Regardless of whether you donate, please know that we thank you ALL for your continuous support and encouragement.  I know I'm not good at responding to every message and comment we receive, but I do read them, and I am very grateful every day to have such a wonderful community of cat-lovers supporting our work.

Hugs!

Jen (and Ian) (and Pokey, Bop, Boop, Dora, Hagrid, Keller, Sullivan, Tom, Nori, and Gary and His Ears).