About the Campaign

Trouble walking due to

a growing tumor under his arm

Barley, a spirited 10-year-old tabby, has been Gretta’s loyal friend since she adopted him as a kitten from a Jefferson City shelter. For most of his life, Barley has enjoyed robust health. But recently, a mass growing near his left armpit has started to cause concern. Now he urgently needs surgery to have it removed.

Last July, Gretta first noticed a small lump, about the size of a grape, on Barley. At the time, they opted to monitor it, hoping it wouldn’t become an issue. However, over the months, the mass has grown and is now affecting Barley’s comfort and mobility.

The tumor recently became infected and started bleeding, likely from Barley scratching at it. His recent bloodwork indicates an infection, and he’s now on antibiotics with a recheck scheduled to ensure the infection is under control before surgery.

Gretta, a dedicated animal lover with a background in rescue work, works at an animal hospital where she does everything she can to care for her beloved pets. Beyond Barley, she looks after six cats and a dog, all of whom came under her care when her mom moved out. She simply does not have the money, nor available credit to cover the full cost of Barley’s procedure.

Barley’s mass is thankfully isolated to his armpit and isn’t attached to any bones. With surgery to remove the mass Barley will be able to live comfortably once again, and his prognosis is very good. All donations are held by us and will be paid only to the veterinarian. A copy of the estimate is below (click to enlarge):