My name is Jennifer (some of you may also know me as Gavriela). I live in Forest Hills, Queens, NY. I rescued Bailey, my 6 year old cat, about 3 years ago right off the street not far from my house. He is my pride and joy. I'm quite certain that, as the expression goes, when I rescued him, it was actually him who rescued me. He's a very lively, sweet, playful, and silly boy. 

This past Labor Day weekend, however, he suddenly became very ill, throwing up his food and water, crying out in pain, becoming very much not himself. I live off of Social Security Disability and have extremely little money to my name, but I of course had to do something when I saw what was happening. I rushed him over to the emergency 24 hour vet clinic nearby and found out that his stomach is full of gas and that there is some other mass, according to x-rays, on the opposite side of his torso. As I write this, the veterinary team is trying to rule out whether or not to do an ultrasound as well and are waiting to see whether or not Bailey will eat anything tonight. They haven't been able to diagnose if Bailey has eaten something he shouldn't, if this is pancreatitis, or if that blurry object on the x-ray opposite his stomach might even be cancer. I'm scared that in the next 24 hours, I may have to make some very tough decisions. I pray that I don't have to.

One thing is for sure: I desperately need help paying for all of this. Right now, I'm tapping into what money I have saved to pay for my rent, and that money is already running out at the beginning of next year. I'm trying to find work to get off of Social Security as it is. I really need whatever help anyone can give me to cover this. I'm also applying for financial assistance from organizations that aid people with vet bills, but some will help at most with just $200. That's why I'm humbly coming to my friends for whatever help they can give me. Every amount would mean the world to me and Bailey. Thank you!!