GoFundMe Made For Suffolk Cat With Rectal Structure Issues

COMMACK, NY — A GoFundMe was launched for Malachite, a male kitten suffering from abnormal bowel movements due to his rectal structure, said Ashleigh Ciccone, organizer of the fundraiser and a volunteer at Long Island non-profit Peace Love Rescue New York. He is under the care of Dr. Diane Monsein Levitan at Peace Love Pets veterinarian in Commack.

There is no actual medical term for the issues Malachite is experiencing, Ciccone said. His rectal structure was corrected earlier this week when Dr. Levitan preformed her first procedure on him, and Malachite needed another procedure done Thursday, too, according to Ciccone. The organization hopes with the diet change and medications, Malachite will soon be able to have normal bowel movements. However, if his bowel movements remain abnormal, he might need surgery.

"We are hoping and praying to avoid this but only time will tell," Ciccone said.

An estimate from the veterinarian filed Thursday, which will account for Malachite's medical care for the next one to two weeks, is somewhere between $1,550 and $3,017. The estimate does not include his prior vet care, the cost of surgery should he need it or the cost of all his medications and food he is now on, which runs the non-profit $220 per month.

Peace Love Rescue New York created the GoFundMe campaign on July 4, and $100 of the $6,000 goal has been met as of Friday.

"Malachite's story started a few months ago when we rescued him and his litter mates who were all severely sick with multiple issues," Ciccone wrote on the fundraiser page. "It has been a long road for this poor boy, he has never been able to have normal bowel movements and after seeing a few veterinarians and trying multiple different medications it was determined at this point his best option is to go see a specialist."

Malachite eventually landed in the care of the Commack-based veterinarian. His care has had financial setbacks for Peace Love Rescue New York, however.

"We are a small rescue who relies solely on donations and we have taken a hard-hit with this bill," she said. "We will never give up on the babies in our care and we will do everything to ensure they can all be saved and get a second chance to find a loving forever home. Please keep our boy in your prayers."