Crowdfunding Cat Treatment

Hello everyone. I'm rather new to the site, but like you all I am a cat fanatic :kitty3:

However my cat hasn't been having a great time lately. She was recently diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. For those who don't know, Hyperthyroidism is where tumor cells on the thyroid produce too much thyroid hormone. This throws her body out of whack - it messes with the heart, metabolism, and more.

She's currently taking medication, but that only addresses the symptoms and not the cause - the tumor is still there. The best possible treatment involves injecting a tiny amount of radioactive iodine into her to kill off the excess cells that are creating too much hormone.

This isn't a cheap procedure, and I've been looking into all kinds of options for financial aid. Care Credit, Petsmart pet loans, etc are all options I am looking into. However with crowdfunding being the 'big thing' these days (One person requesting $15 to make some potato salad ended up with $55,000!) I thought that it could not hurt to turn to fellow cat lovers and see if anyone would be interested in helping out.

If you're interested in details as well as some pictures of the kitty in question, please see the donation site at https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/9bg7

Even if you cannot contribute, if you could spread the link around on social media - facebook, twitter, things like that - I would greatly appreciate your help. If nothing else, well wishes are always appreciated!

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

(I did check with Anne to be certain this doesn't break any rules before posting)

From the Mods:
To all members, a reminder that it is YOUR responsibility to check out these solicitors to the best of your ability. Ask for references, phone numbers, call around the area and find out if this is a legitimate cause or a scam. Thecatsite.com does not stand behind any solicitation of funds for any reason that appear in the forums unless explicitly authorized. Be very careful before you send any money: no matter how effective the plea is, check it out first before opening your wallet. For more information, see Pleas for Money.

Note that this reminder is posted in all threads asking for donations and is not directed at any specific person.

Out of curiosity, do you know a good way I can sort of... "legitimize" for lack of a better word, this request?

I posted the paper quote I got from the vet but haven't actually taken my cat there for treatment (yet) pending the results of my fundraiser and my care credit application. (Which is also why it doesn't show name, age, etc. of the cat on the paper)

I can take pictures 'til the cows come home, but I've been online long enough to know that there will be doubters all the same. I'm just curious what you think the best way I could show people that I'm on the level is.

I take no offense to people thinking it might be a scam; this is the internet. There are princes from nigeria who want all your money and they will trick you to get it. I've just been trying to think of a way to help assuage people's doubts effectively.

Any suggestions that I could put on the funding page itself would be very much appreciated!

Providing contact information for the vet is good; but, they need to be able to verify that you are a client of theirs.

I shall contact my vet then. I don't mind putting the contact info there, but the vet might mind if they suddenly get a large amount of phone calls asking if Jade actually has a tumor!

EDIT : They were OK with it, so I've included Jade's current Vet, the one that has diagnosed her with Hyperthyroid. The contact info has been posted to the fundraiser as a separate update. Thank you for the advice!