Cheryl Roberts is like so many struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic, but she鈥檚 thought that a lack of funds would mean having to put down her cat.
After Black Press Media covered her story, the public has come through in a big way and Burley sees the doctor Thursday.
鈥淭his man is the love of my life,鈥� she said of her cat, Burley. 鈥淗e showed up on my doorstep around 11 years ago.鈥�
He stuck around. The 91原创 woman recently found out Burley, who is between 12 and 14 years old, needed dental surgery on four problem teeth.
鈥淯nfortunately I am now on a fixed income, disability,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚 am simply unable to come up with that kind of money.鈥�
She鈥檚 searched around for any solution she could think of, asking for advice online and approaching local animal welfare organizations but to no avail.
鈥淚 have called everyone and anyone, with COVID a lot of the places鈥� are not looking at applications until mid March, and that is no guarantee I will get help,鈥� she said.
Roberts has created a hoping to raise the $2,000 needed to pay for his surgery because he can鈥檛 wait. As of Monday morning, she had sufficient funds to cover his surgery. Roberts was overwhelmed by the help.
鈥淚 cried a lot. There are a lot of very kind-hearted people out there. It鈥檚 absolutely amazing,鈥� she said.
She said she couldn鈥檛 imagine her life without her furry friend, particularly since COVID and the forced isolation.
鈥淗e is the funniest cat I have ever seen, sometimes I feel as though he knows more than he can share with a look,鈥� Roberts said.
Any pledges over and above the amount required for the dental care will be donated to the 91原创 Animal Protection Society which reached out to her after the story appeared online.
鈥淭hey have been wonderful,鈥� Roberts said.
Have a story tip? Email: heather.colpitts@langleyadvancetimes.com
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