Injured Stray Virtually Adopted by Kind Forum Members

June 16, 2011 | Posted By: Laura Pagles | Categorized in: FatWallet

Driving over a one-lipped stray cat might have your average consumer turning to the local animal services and turning a blind eye to the outcome, but not FatWallet member 77Rus. When this Finance Forum member ran over a sleeping neighborhood stray in his driveway, he provided comfort, researched treatment options, and looked to fellow forum community members for advice and, eventually, support.

Read how FatWallet members came together in the following summary of 77Rus' original forum post and request for advice:

June 10, 1:42 p.m.
77Rus injures a gray stray cat sleeping in the gray driveway as he returns home late at night. The cat overnights in the safety of a cardboard box before being taken to the local vet. Rather than taking the free euthanasia offered for a stray, 77Rus spends $200 to learn whether the cat has a chance of recovering with time.

After an initial estimate for surgery (Femoral head ostectomy) on the cat's badly dislocated leg, 77Rus turns to his Finance Forum friends for suggestions of cost-cutting and charity options.

2:06 p.m.
First FatWallet member (SUCKISSTAPLES) offers a donation and is followed by a long list of kind-hearted members.

11:43 p.m.
On the advice of forum members, 77Rus researches multiple vets and the local Jeff State Community College as low cost alternatives.

He reports $195.18 in Paypal donations and posts exam receipt and treatment estimates.

June 11, 3:26 p.m.
The cat is resting comfortably in a large dog crate and after accepting an encouraging $10 off $50 Old Navy coupon, 77Rus' wife permits the cat to move out of the Alabama heat and into the garage.

77Rus reports 17 donations totaling $329.59.

11:45 p.m.
Wife's pain in looking at a one-lipped cat is lessoned by a glass of wine and the shock of the generosity of the strangers on FatWallet.

21 donations, $481.39

June 12, 11:00 p.m.
A three-legged cat can use a litter box.

$761.39 from 35 donations - the surgery is covered! "…the surgery is fully covered! Yes! Thank you, dear FW people!" Any extra donations will be used to cover the original X-Ray costs and donated to a local animal charity.

June 13, 12:00 p.m.
Original estimate from Deerfoot Animal Clinic stands as most cost-effective, even after additional shots, worming and FIV test.

8:38 p.m.
Member Cheapoking suggests "CatWallet" as kitty's new name. And it sticks.

44 donations, $1,014.64. 77Rus sends unedited copies of vet estimates to every donor.

June 14
Surgery is scheduled for June 16 with Dr. Russell of Deerfoot Animal Clinic.

June 15
CatWallet rests comfortably, but no food after midnight.

45 donations, $1,024.05

June 16, 9:23 a.m.
Today's the big day, made possible by the kindness of the Fatwallet community.

12:10 p.m.
Dr. Russell calls to report an abnormal, possibly cancerous growth in CatWallet's throat and confirms 77Rus wishes to proceed with surgery prior to test results.

Sadly, 77Rus signed on this afternoon at 12:38 p.m. to report CatWallet's passing during surgery. Dr. Russell suspects compilations from cancer related to the growth.

77Rus reports he will return all donations and requests members, in turn, donate the money to an animal charity of choice.

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Injured Stray Virtually Adopted by Kind Forum Members