If you’re in the same room with Willy, you can hear him breathing—an outrageously loud and awful wheezing sound that means his airway is badly obstructed. If he gets any congestion at all, he battles to breathe, and it is life-threatening.

Willy's breathing problem was likely caused by the same trauma that injured his front leg very badly. When Willy came to 9 Lives Rescue, our vet said it was “caused by trauma and most likely from a fall/drop from a second or third story height.” Willy lived through the trauma, 9 Lives Rescue made sure those injuries were treated immediately, and his leg healed. His foster reports that he is very sweet and loves humans, dogs, and other cats. A perfect kitty for a loving, forever home.

But first he needs to be able to breathe.

The good news is that Willy's condition, laryngeal paralysis, can be fixed by surgery. The challenge is that this surgery is expensive, and for 9 Lives, the expenses of kitten season are also starting. We will not turn our backs on Willy, who has already fought so hard to stay alive. Please help, so we won’t need to choose between Willy and kittens in need.

With your help, Willy can live and breathe and find his forever people.

Photos: The first photo above shows trail camera footage of poor Willy, unable to put weight on his injured front leg, before he was brought into the care of 9 Lives Rescue. The second photo shows Willy in his 9 Lives foster home, waiting to hear about his surgery.

UPDATE!

Willy had his surgery on April 25 and can finally breate freely! In the video below, part of what you hear is Willy's blissful, power purring, but his breathing is audible even when he's not purring. That will gradually go away (or mostly) as the swelling goes down. He LOVES to be brushed!

Help Willy Breathe Easier!

This sweet, friendly boy just wants to love people and find his forever home