My name is Itty-Bitty and I am a neutered gray and white tuxedo cat who is 10 years old. I live with my family which is currently experiencing homelessness. I am particularly close to one of my moms who suffers from autism spectrum disorder, PTSD, and anxiety. She and I are best friends.

My family became homeless because her mom was struggling with a substance use disorder and multiple mental and physical disabilities that requires us to survive on a disability stipend. I am proud to say she is now 2.5 years sober, but her disability check is insufficient to provide permanent and stable housing for all of us. We continue to bounce around from house to house of nice people that will take us in for a few days at a time but none of us has any real place to call our own. My moms do so much for me with what little they have, and I try hard to comfort them so that they feel loved. When I got sick, I was so sad because I knew they didn’t have the money to take me to the vet. I had a discharge of blood and fluid coming from my ears and mouth. I was in a lot of pain, and I couldn’t eat or drink anything but they went online and googled “what do I do if I need to take my cat to the vet and I can’t afford it” and Feeding Pets of the Homeless came up.

I went to see the vet and she diagnosed me with a cancerous tumor in my mouth that had spread to the rest of my body. I was in bad shape and they suggested that I be put to sleep so I wouldn’t suffer anymore. It is hard to leave my family, but the vet was right, I was in a lot of pain. My family agonized over the decision but ultimately, they held me while I crossed the rainbow bridge peacefully and surrounded by the love of both of my family. Now I am running, playing and watching over my family on the other side of the rainbow bridge. If Feeding Pets of the Homeless had not been able to help with the $254 that my family needed I would have died in a lot of pain. Instead, I was given medicine that took my pain away while I said goodbye to my family. I was able to die peacefully because of Feeding Pets of the Homeless. My mom wrote a thank you note saying:

“I would really like to say thank you!!! I don’t know how I got so lucky, to have found Feeding Pets Of The Homeless!!! I think it’s absolutely amazing that there is an organization like this!! Because of Feeding Pets Of The Homeless, even though our kitty couldn’t come home, he is no longer suffering!! And that’s what really matters. I would never have been able to do anything without their help!!!

Thank you so much!!”

-Itty-Bitty’s family