Maple is a 4-year-old Calico Cat in Athens, GA, who needs $1,150 for Luxating Patella Surgery.

My partner and I rescued Maple from our local shelter about two weeks ago. She's the sweetest, gentlest, most loving cat I have ever met. When we took her to our vet, we were informed that she has luxating patella--a condition in which her kneecaps pop in and out, causing her intense pain anytime she tries to run or jump. She needs surgery on both of her hind legs.

My partner and I were very fortunate to find an affordable house to rent, so Maple has her own room--I know! She hangs out in my home office during the day, sitting on my lap while I work. Maple is the only cat in our house, but she has two dog sisters--Bailey (5) and Lily (1). Despite both being hound mixes, they have been surprisingly welcoming to Maple.

Maple starts purring as soon as my partner or I walk into the room. Her condition in her hind legs makes her unable to jump, so she likes to reach her paw up, swat your leg and meow anytime she wants you to lift her up. Most of the time, this means she wants to get up on my desk. Sometimes, though, she'll keep meowing until you put her on whatever surface she has in mind.

Maple was diagnosed with luxating patella in both hind legs. This means she cannot run or jump, as her kneecaps will pop out of place and cause her a lot of pain. She needs surgery on both legs, and if she doesn't get it, she will develop severe arthritis very early in her life and eventually, be unable to walk at all.

We just adopted Maple a few weeks ago. We decided to make the jump when we saw our local shelter post that they were out of room for cats. Maple has quickly become a member of the family, and we want to give her the opportunity to live a normal life without chronic pain.