💔 Sadly, our sweet Baby Ben is gone—but nearly $1,000 in veterinary bills remain

Our medical funds were already critically low. We need help paying for Ben’s final vet bill so we can continue treating the animals who depend on us. Until then, our intake must remain closed.

Sometimes rescue means spending money and finding the treatment that saves a life. Sometimes it means spending money to understand that there is no humane path forward. That bill did not buy the outcome we desperately wanted. It bought the answers we needed to protect Ben from further suffering.

Both kinds of care must still be paid for.

Ben’s final veterinary bill totaled $982.25.

Baby Ben came to New Hope abnormally small and underweight for his age. He was already facing Manx syndrome and congenital anal stenosis—an abnormally narrow anal opening that made it more difficult for his tiny body to function normally.

From the beginning, it seemed as though his body was working against him. Still, we hoped that with proper nutrition, medical care and time, he would finally have the chance to grow stronger.

During his care, we discovered that Ben also had a heart murmur. Then his breathing became labored, and we rushed him to the veterinarian on 8.25.26.

We authorized an examination, comprehensive bloodwork, three-view X-rays and a STAT radiologist review. We needed to understand why Ben was struggling and whether there was something we could treat.

Instead, the diagnostics revealed an enlarged heart, significant fluid accumulation in around his lungs and severely enlarged kidneys. One of his kidney values was extraordinarily abnormal.

Ben was struggling to breathe right in front of us. Determining exactly what was happening would have required extensive specialty diagnostics with no clear path to recovery and very little assurance that his fragile body could even withstand more time until it could be done.

We had to ask the most painful question in rescue: Would continuing be for Ben—or because we weren’t ready to let him go?

We chose to end his struggle and allow him to pass peacefully, surrounded by love.

We know it is harder to fundraise for the cases without a recovery photo or happy adoption ending to share. But Baby Ben still deserved answers. He deserved the diagnostics that allowed us to make an informed decision as his advocates, compassionate care, and ultimately, freedom from suffering.

Giving him that chance mattered, even though in the end, we could not save him.

Even though we lost sweet Ben, we desperately need help with his bill. Please donate in memory of Baby Ben so that when the next vulnerable cat needs New Hope, we still have the resources to say yes.

Every donation—no matter the amount—brings us closer to paying this bill and being ready to save another life. 💙

Help Pay Baby Ben’s Final Vet Bill

We fought to save Baby Ben. Although he is gone, his $983 veterinary bill remains—and it is due September 15.