I have had her since I was 18, and she’s now 6 years old. I brought her home when she was just 5.5 weeks old.
Unfortunately, my life has taken a tough turn. I’m now a newly single mom to a 4-year-old boy, and within the last month, I lost my job and my means of transportation.
I am struggling to feed myself and my son. The only source of food is the food pantry nearby, but they can only help once a month and provide up to three days’ worth of shelf-stable food. I can’t even afford cheaper cat food or make homemade meals for her.
The pet pantry is over 20 minutes away by car, and they don’t deliver. We’re almost out of dry food, though there’s still some in the feeder, but we’ve run out of wet food for over a week, which has left her upset. She’s used to having two cans a day.
I’ve had to use dirt as litter since we’ve run out, and she hasn’t gotten treats or toys since I lost my job. I feel awful. I applied for SNAP earlier this week, and once those benefits come through, I’ll be able to make her homemade food if I’m still unemployed by then.
I feel so guilty and wonder if she’d be better off without me, but the thought of giving her away breaks my heart. She was my first baby, and I know things will improve once I find a job. This is only temporary, which makes it even harder, but I don’t have anyone to ask to foster her.
I desperately need help or a place for her, but I don’t know where to turn. I tried Nextdoor with no response, and I don’t have a Facebook account. What can I do to help her? 