Pogo is a three-month-old Siamese cat in Kingsland, GA, who needs $700 for emergency surgery.

Heroes rise to the occasion and that's exactly what Kristina Y. and her brother did when they rescued Pogo.

It all started when Kristina's brother heard his neighbor start his car and got a horrible shock. "They saw a bunch of cats scatter," Kristina tells Waggle. "They think there was a litter of kittens under the hood. Then they heard clunking and screaming from the engine."

What they heard was Pogo under the hood! "Unfortunately, the (car's) belt pulled Pogo's arm and broke it," Kristina says.

Kristina's brother called her in a panic. He was moving out of the country and could not keep the kitten. He sent her pictures of Pogo.

"I immediately fell in love with him and couldn't leave him. I just loved his baby blue eyes. I couldn't leave him to die. I didn't want him going to an animal shelter. I knew an injured cat might be in danger. I said I'd come to get him," Kristina says.
Kristina raced to meet her brother, got Pogo, and rushed him to First Coast No More Homeless Pets. Sadly Pogo's leg is in terrible shape. He needs amputation surgery and to be neutered.

Adopting a new family member was not something Kristina had planned on. She is struggling to pay for his emergency care. "I currently could use the financial assistance," she says. "I am a single mother. My youngest child and I had COVID not too long ago, which put me really behind with bills. I love Pogo so much, but the cost of his treatment is too high for me to do alone." The animal hospital helped raise $1000 to treat Pogo and now Waggle is helping raise the additional $700 he needs for the operation.

Pogo has a wonderful life ahead of him after he gets the surgery he needs. He has made himself at home with Kristina and her family. He developed a deep bond already with Kristina's son, who is autistic. "Pogo sleeps in front of my son's bed. He's therapeutic for him. They hit it off. Pogo has free roam of the house and occasionally will go on our porch to bird watch. He loves belly rubs and acts like a guard dog at night in front of my son's room. He will definitely let you know if he is upset because he stares you right in the face and meows as loud as he can," Kristina says.

Can you help Pogo this holiday season?