Pixel is a 3-year-old Shorthair Cat in Washington, NJ, who needs $2,000 for Perineal Urethrostomy.

We adopted Pixel (and brother Glitch) from a rescue. They had been "rescued" from 2 locations already. My 3 boys (15, 12, 7 years) and I spent 1 1/2 hours at the foster home trying to catch Pixel so we could adopt both cats together. Glitch was very outgoing, but Pixel was very nervous and timid. The foster home asked us not to adopt one without the other because they were so closely bonded.

It took a long time for Pixel to trust us. He spent much of the first few months hiding under my son's bed. His brother was very protective and encouraged Pixel to come out. We have a dog who eagerly wanted to be friends with Pixel. The cats just turned 3 last week. My kids love to play with them and I love snuggling up on the couch every evening with them in my lap. A nice way to unwind.

Pixel has turned out to the the braver of the two cats. They still hide when we have company, but Pixel will pop out on scouting missions to see if it is safe to come out from bedroom. He also has no issues sitting on his brother and pushing him off of my lap when he wants to be pet. Pixel sits on my 7 year old's bed every night when we read together before bed.

Pixel had emergency surgery for a blockage, put on special diet. We almost lost him once already. Last month he blocked again, his fur has not grown in yet from the IVs. The animal hospital did an amazing job despite Pixel going nuts from stress in the exam room and had to be sedated. He kept ripping out his IVs and catheter and refused to eat at the hospital.

I recently opened a reading center to help children recover academically from COVID. We lost our health insurance benefits and I am putting everything I make into the business. We incurred $7,500 in 6 months for Pixel. He is blocked again and needs a permanent solution.