Leo

About the Campaign

Lifesaving Surgery for a Rare Condition.

Leo, a 4.5-year-old orange Domestic Shorthair, has been living with a rare congenital condition called Persistent Right Aortic Arch (PRAA). Because of it, his esophagus is compressed, making it hard for him to swallow food, especially anything with texture. He survives on a special slurry diet and still struggles with hairballs and frequent regurgitation. Now Leo needs surgery to correct the issue before it causes more serious complications.

His owner, Page, has been by his side since birth. Back in 2020, while moving during the height of the pandemic, a pregnant stray cat wandered into her life. No rescues could help, so Page stepped up. Leo was born in October 2020, and she’s cared for him ever since.

Leo’s condition was misdiagnosed for years, even though signs were there from the beginning. Page always knew something wasn’t right. Now, with a proper diagnosis and a surgical solution in sight, she’s doing everything she can to help him—but she can’t afford the surgery alone.

It’s actually kind of amazing Leo has even survived this long, no doubt due in part to Page taking very good care of him. This condition is a birth-defect and if not treated surgically, most cats and dogs do not live past about 2 years of age.

Page has been through a lot recently—recovering from major neck surgery, going through bankruptcy due to medical bills, and continuing to care for her small crew of rescued animals in Dayton, Ohio, where the stray cat population is overwhelming. She does TNR work on her own and shares her home with five animals, including Leo and his mom, Hela.

Hela and Leo:

The next step for Leo is an angiogram to prepare for surgery, which Page is covering. But she’ll need help with the cost of the corrective procedure itself. This surgery will give Leo a real chance to live comfortably and eat normally for the first time in his life. We have a verbal estimate from the vet, and we also know the price of this procedure.