Stiltzkin is a 9-year-old Domestic Shorthair Cat in Granger, IN, who needs $2,000 for Exploratory Laparotomy with Mass Removal.

Stiltzkin came into our lives completely on a whim. I was visiting a friend, who happened to foster and rehome strays. Before leaving, I asked my friend, "You have like, five cats here. Do you mind if I take one?" He was roughly six weeks old at the time. He'd wandered up to their doorstep as a stray, and nine years later, has since blossomed into a loving and cherished member of our family.

Stiltzkin is a cuddlebug. He will cuddle with you, lie on your pillow and groom your hair, or just lie near you and hang out. He absolutely loves to be outside. He will sit at the backdoor and beg to be let out, and will stay our for hours if you let him. He also loves human food. Whenever somebody is in the kitchen, Stiltzkin is right there, expecting a nibble of whatever is being prepared.

I'm not sure why, but Stiltzkin loves shoes. He will stick his entire face in a shoe, cuddle with shoes, play with shoes. He just loves shoes. I also lovingly call him my son's brother. They've been together since my son was five years old, and Stiltzkin dotes on him like a loving sibling. They play together, sleep together, and hang out together.

Stiltzkin has a large abdominal mass that was found out to be cancer (what type has yet to be determined). It has caused rapid weight loss, loss of appetite, and lethargy, to name a few symptoms. The veterinarian, Dr. Nikki Risselmann, at Morris Animal Hospital, does believe that the mass can be removed with surgery.

Stiltzkin's surgery is definitely an unexpected, major expense. However, anything that can be done to help him is worth it. He is apart of our family, and while he may not be apart of our lives forever, we want to be apart of his for as long as possible.