Ferguson is a two-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat in Neola, IA, who needs $1,400 for critical care.

Kimberlee D. has a special place in her heart and her home for special needs cats. And word has gotten out about her superpowers to help and heal these felines. Last summer, a cat rescue contacted Kimberlee and asked her to adopt Ferguson. He was in a shelter, and his back legs were not working.

"I couldn't say no," Kimberlee tells Waggle. "I did not have the heart to say no. I have such a bond with special needs babies. I knew we'd be able to help him."

Ferguson arrived and perfectly fit in with the rest of her human and animal family members. Kimberlee and her new kitty made many trips to her veterinarian at the Shelby Vet Clinic. The medical team believes Ferguson suffered a traumatic injury and may not walk again. But Kimberlee said, "That is OK," and set Ferguson up with custom accommodations.

"He has his playpen where he stays when we are not home," she says. "Ferguson scoots around our home and enjoys napping on the heating pad and soft blankets, snuggling with his fur siblings and humans, birdwatching, and meowing to get treats and chin scratches."

Ferguson doesn't have feeling in his hind limbs and is incontinent. Kimberlee expresses his bladder so he can urinate. Recently Ferguson started having some reoccurring urinary tract infections and was losing weight. The pair were back at the animal hospital for X-rays, tests, antibiotics, fluids, and prescription food.

Kimberlee is trying to recover after a rough 2021. First, she had heart surgery, then she caught COVID, missed work, and many paychecks. She's racing to catch up financially and is struggling to pay for Ferguson's ongoing care. She was hesitant to launch this fundraiser as she's not used to asking for help caring for her animals, but she could use a little assistance right now.

"I've never had to reach out until recently," Kimberlee says. "To have this help while we work on bouncing back would be incredible. I promised these special needs cats and all of our pets that I would care for them. When you take in a pet, it is a lifelong commitment. When you fall on hard times, you don't get rid of them. And you don't put them down when they need vet care. I am committed to making sure they are as happy and healthy as they can be. Making sure Ferguson is stable long-term is very important to me. He's so gentle and loving. I want to make sure; given his condition, he can have the happiest life he can have. Saying, 'thank you for your help,' seems so inadequate. I'm am so grateful."

Help show Kimberlee and Ferguson we are rooting for them!