we keep saying...NO MORE!!! ~ Saving for Surgery for Scooter

[Tambrey]

I just sent off a second attempt e-mail to the vet...if I do not get a reply by tomorrow at noon, I will give a call up there...I have told them about the kitten, added the link to my photobucket album, told them what I am doing and my concern about hip development...my financial situation and what I can do to help contribute to that with my fundraiser option...I am just wanting to dump the kitten into their care...but I want it to have good care and the best chances that it can get...and without outside intervention - more than I know how to give...it won't happen...

*****************

on a side note...its three siblings should be easy to rehome...there are 2 that look like Scooter, and then one white one...one of the gray ones was sitting near the front door when we got home, and did not try to run when I picked it up...while I was holding it, the white one peeked its head out from underneath the table where they live, and I said Hi to it...it came scrambling right over to me to get picked up...my husband just stood there shaking his head and said that he could not believe it would come so easily...so then the third one, a bit more cautious than the other two, eventually came to be petted as well

[Tambrey]

I gvot a reply e-mail from Dr. Burchill's office....without at least half down and then a payment plan, they cannot do anything....I do not have $2000 to put down, and even the monthly payments afterwards would be stretching our budget...
Here is their reply:

Hello there. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I have been
discussing this with our board and unfortunately, we can not offer this
service as a free service, or even in the hopes of raising the money. We
would need the money for the surgery. We would probably be able to work
something out as payments, but we do require half down at time of surgery.
Hopefully you will hear back from Cats Cradle and they will have some help
or advice for you! I'm sorry that we can't be of much assistance at this
time! I will continue to discuss this with Dr. Burchill who was Corky's
surgeon and see if he thinks it might be something he could even help with.
Of course, we wouldn't know without an exam and x-rays. Dr. Burchill, or I
will keep you posted on his thoughts about if he could be any help.

[Traci]

Well that's a start, and it's promising they might consider it with a down. Call the Cat's Cradle and discuss the email with them, see if they can help offer a donation, and start your own donation drive....like http://www.chipin.com

Post on Care2 (Pets), handicappedpets.com, petfinder forums, any popular forum where there are many many members, and include your chipin donation drive link in every post, every email you send, etc etc etc.

Once you get your chipin donation page started, email as many of your local tv newstations, newspapers, radio stations etc as you can, include the link, etc. More entities are more likely to respond when you show you've already taken the initiative to start fundraising etc. Talk to your tomboy tools rep and see if they would be willing to help incorporate a special "prize" drawing to support your fundraising etc.

Have you thought about a loan from your bank (try your local credit union, they are more likely to give smaller loans than a larger bank)? Even a 1500.00 loan would only cost around 50.00 a month in payments, it's worth considering.

Post a video of kitten (you should determine his/her gender and give him/her a name), and again, include the link to your chipin page, emails, posts etc - update the videos when possible, and keep your posts updated.

[Tambrey]

I cannot get a loan...our credit sucks...so that is out...

We named the kitten Scooter....but I need hubby's help to determine *beep*....I cannot hold it to look with the way its legs are crossed

I will check the chipin page...I have to get something going...thanks

[Tambrey]

okay...I created a chipin page...shared it on my facebook, and by the time I got done with an introduction and adding a picture on the chipin page...I had a $5 donation already and it is getting shared on facebook

Here is the link in case anyone wants to share it

http://scooterkitten.chipin.com/scooter

(edited to add hyperlink)

[Traci]

Cool, post the link in the places I suggested earlier...

I would just slightly edit in your post the amount "you chose", instead stating that your goal is 4500.00 but it has been stated to you that Dr Burchill's office stated a down of 2000.00 is needed before surgery. People might be more likely to donate more or quicker if they know a down is needed quickly. Don't mislead about the clinic, as they haven't given a definite answer yet, but no harm in mentioning what is required (amount of money)

[Tambrey]

okay, I revised the intro...thanks...now to get it shared on the other sites

[Tambrey]

this afternoon was a big event...took a swim in the sink....still had not pooped yet today...sighs.....I got Scooter mostly towel dried, using a microfiber cloth....then went outside in the grass and sunshine to finish drying and absorb some vitaminD

Scooter laid there playing with his/her front feet while I worked the back legs..massaging and exercising...we managed to work the left leg into an almost natural position when sitting and Scooter actually sat like that without support for about 3 minutes before deciding to roll over to play with front feet again...

Of course....with all the warm sunshine and exercise, Scooter pooped all over his/her legs...so that meant another quick rinse in the sink...I tried not to get too wet, because I do not want those legs and belly getting sore...

Now Scooter has enjoyed some warmed KMR, a spoon of kitten CD and has a fresh hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to take a nap with

[Tambrey]

I am in awe right now...Scooter's page is up to $180 in donations and these latest ones are on the east coast! The link is getting shared and people are helping!

Now I hope that Cat's Cradle will step up to help...the latest reply I got was kind of snarky, when I requested to post my chipin link on Corky's page

Tambrey, as you can imagine we get alot of requests for this sort of thing and as a non-profit in the process of getting our final 501(c)3 approval I have to be very careful when it comes to posting for donations. I need to check with my Board of Directors to find out if we are allowed to raise funds for others. I did not start fundraising for Corky until he had SEEN Dr. Burchill and I had his surgical estimate on paper from the hospital. Corkys bills have well exceeded $6,000, he had complications and was hospitalized for 3 weeks. Did Dr. Burchill AGREE to do the surgery?

No, he did not say he would...but he did not say he would not...it is still in discussion, but even if he cannot himself, I am hoping he will consult with the animal hospital in the city here to work together for Scooter

[Traci]

Well if anything, maybe ask Cat's Cradle for tips on fundraising. I can't recall the timing between finding Corky and the actual initiation of fundraising, but any tips, or how they went about it could be very helpful, especially how they were able to get this on the news/communication with the news sites etc and how it went viral so fast. Sometimes, tips are more valuable than money (from Cat's Cradle's perspective maybe).

I can certainly understand her position. Which is why asking for how they did it might help Scooter tremendously.