Bootsy is a 9-year-old British Shorthair in Los Angeles, CA, who needs $2,000 for Total Ear Canal Ablation and Bulla Osteotomy.

I went to a shelter to rescue a cat. Most of the cats ignored me or were sleeping. But when I got to Bootsy, she talked to me. Even after turning the corner into a different aisle, Bootsy was still talking to me. That's when I thought, this cat is smart, she wants to get out of here so she is letting me know. When we got to my place, she let me hold her paw while we took a nap. I fell in love!

Bootsy is very loving and likes to socialize. Whenever she hears people at the door, she meows at me to let them in. She talks to them and lays on her back to get her belly rubbed. I do a lot of gardening and she goes with me sticking right by my side. We are always together. Everybody loves Bootsy. She is my best friend.

When we're outside, Bootsy chases lizards and soaks up the sun. She likes to keep me in her field of vision. If I walk off, she will stop what she is doing to catch up with me. When she wants a treat, she'll sit next to me and keep tapping my shoulder until I give her a treat. When we sleep, she doesn't like being under the covers. Instead, she curls up against my neck with her warm fury body.

Bootsy's vet (Dr. Christian Croquenois at the Cahuenga Veterinary Hospital) put Bootsy under anesthesia to further explore a large bleeding bubble in Bootsy's ear and some lumps on her belly. Afterwards, the vet said Bootsy has cancerous lumps on her belly that he would have to remove and she also has a malignant ulcerated tumor in her ear and a specialist would have to remove her ear canal.

I am unemployed and get food stamps and GR from the government. There is no way I can pay for the procedures that the vet is telling me Bootsy needs. I don't want my best friend to be in pain (Bootsy's right side of her face is swollen and her ear hurts her) or to die.