Woman Trying Desperately To Save Sick Cat: 'He's Like My Child'

NORTH FORK, NY — A woman whose cat Sven is critically ill is trying desperately to raise the funds to save his life.

Sarah Doherty of Mattituck created a GoFundMe page, "Sven's Treatment and Recovery."

"I never thought I would be posting for help like this, but here I am," Doherty, 28, said. "On Friday, my 'wittle chonky men' unfortunately got really sick. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I would give anything and everything for either of my two boys, so he is in good hands now, but at a pretty high cost. Long story short, he has pancreatitis that will take around five to seven days in the hospital to treat."

Doherty thanked all her family members and friends who've offered emotional support.

An, she said, funds are needed for the steep hospital bills. Sven, who is just 5 years old, has been treated for diabetes, but there was difficulty in lowering his glucose levels before the pancreatitis diagnosis.

"Right now he is not in the clear and there is room for things to turn worse," she wrote earlier in the week. "The doctor does however believe that it is very much worth the treatments and if all goes well he can make a full recovery and live a medicated, yet normal and healthy life. With the severity of his condition it is going to require him to be in the hospital for more than a few days, which is worth it but pricey, to say the least. With all of that being said, any and all financial help would be more than appreciated."

Doherty said she hates asking for help and understands that being a pet owner comes with financial burdens and responsibilities.

"Please know that I am going to do everything in my power to take them on. I do plan on everything I can to pay off these bills, but at the end of the day, every little bit helps. I know it’s tough times out here — I am already thankful and grateful for any dollar that is contributed," she said.

Describing her cat, Doherty's voice softens. "Anyone who has met Sven can tell you that he is the sweetest, goofiest, mush head. He was named after Sven from the movie Frozen and has truly embraced the same personality."

Sven was adopted with his brother, Sully who has also taken on the personality of who he was named after, Sully from Monsters Inc., she said.

"They are not litter mates, but they are a bonded pair who were born in a shelter together. Both Sully and I are missing Sven big time and cannot wait to have him home to snuggle with us!" she said.

Doherty, who is not yet a mom, said the cats are both like her children. "I love them so much, it comes out in my emotions," she said. "When he's so sick, it's very stressful and nerve-wracking."

Despite the exorbitant cost of treatments, there was no other path but forward, Doherty said. "Whatever it takes to get him better and home," she said.

Sven, she said, loves belly rubs and sleeping on Doherty's pillow, kissing her face in the morning to wake her every morning when the sun comes up. "He is the sweetest cat ever," she said. "I'm missing him."

Still, Thursday brought good news and a positive report from the vet. "Anything can happen, of course, but the vet said he has the chance to live a very long, normal, healthy life. Sven is in a much better place than yesterday — and his outlook as of now is very good! If all keeps moving in the right direction, he may even be able to come home on Saturday," Doherty said. "Thank you all so, so, much for the love and support."

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.