Levi is a 1-year-old cat in Elizabeth, NJ, who needs $2,000 for surgery for Pyothorax.

Levi came to us from underneath our house -- he was almost like a cosmic housewarming gift. We had just moved into a new place and my brother-in-law heard meows super nearby. Turns out, Levi's mom had left him and some siblings underneath our house. After a few days, he was the only one left with no signs of mom. So we went on a rescue mission and the rest is history. He's 1 year old now.

Levi makes his presence known. He is by far the relaxed cat I've known, and also the most social, preferring to take his 18 hr cat naps snuggled in someone's lap. And he does it in turn -- if someone's been at work all day and just got back home, it's their turn. He wakes up, trots over and will stand patiently until YOU sit and give him the lap that's really his, not yours.

This was a sudden emergency we weren't prepared for. We are a mixed income household with tight budgets, especially as a result of COVID and some loss of income last year. Our cats are our purpose. Life's redeeming quality which soothes the soul at the end of a long day.

Levi has pyothorax, a build-up of infectious fluid around his lungs. He's been in critical care for a few days now, mostly stable with antibiotics but the vet is considering CT scans and surgery to help pinpoint and eradicate the issue in a more aggressive, deliberate way. We're basically holding off an infection right now where surgery could alleviate his condition altogether.

Levi has one adopted brother, older than him by a few months but smaller than him by a solid inch of fluff all around. Levi NEEDS to make his rounds to say hi to all members of the household at least once every day. He is very much a cat with HIS own particular routine. He won't bother you so long as you don't interrupt him, haha.