'Literally bankrupting my family!' Grandpa finds a unique, frozen and sick kitten lying in the middle of the road, his family spends over $10,000 saving her life, and they don't regret one meowment of it

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Apr 17, 2026 9:30 AM EDT

Considering how much cats hate going to the vet, sometimes, they force us to take them there for the silliest reasons. 

If you are a cat owner, then you have most likely been through the experience of taking your cat to the vet for some ridiculous reason. Of course, it doesn't seem ridiculous at the time. If you take your cat to the vet, it's for an actual reason. It's because they did something that spooked you into doing it. You're willing to pay the money - the hundreds of dollars - for that visit, just to make sure that your cat is okay. You can't know that you're about to pay hundreds because your cat has a tummy ache or because your cat is just a picky eater. 

Sometimes, it's silly reasons like this. Other times, it's serious things. And that couple of hundred stacks up to a couple thousand. Our cats are worth every penny. Their health is worth it. More time with them is worth it. If it's a couple hundred bucks for something silly or $10,000 for something very serious. 

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

Advertisement
  • 01

    "Most expensive little girl i know- how much money would you spend on a cat?"

    Cheezburger Image 10623517952
    via PaintedOakTears
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10623518208
    via PaintedOakTears
  • 03
    Literally bankrupting my family! My grandfather found her frozen to a road as a kitten and we took her in. Found out she had a shattered hip and damaged spine. Required complete reconstruction of her back hip since she was not a good candidate for amputation.
    via PaintedOakTears
  • 04
    Got her spayed and found out she only has one kidney. Has to eat special hydrating cat food and get her kidney values checked every 6 months. Got a rash and hairloss and find out she allergic to certain fabrics.
    via PaintedOakTears
  • 05
    She gets a tumor on her arm, needs surgical removal and testing for cancer. Needs to get her kidney values checked before and after surgery because it's risky for anesthetize a cat with one kidney. SO blessed her tumor came back benign!
    via PaintedOakTears
  • 06
    Shes not even 4 years old yet we already spent over 10k on her. She's been happy and loving every second of it- never down for a day
    via PaintedOakTears

  • Ten thousand dollars is a lot of money. It is truly a lot. But you cannot put a price on family. And that is what our cats are. Maybe other people don't think of their pets like this, but we do. In fact, we are closer to our cats than some humans in our family. We live with them, we take care of them. We comfort them, and they comfort us. They are family in every sense that matters, and the same way that we wouldn't hesitate to pay to save our sister's life or our mother's life, we wouldn't hesitate to save our kitty's life. 

  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10623518464
    via PaintedOakTears
  • 08
    bwalker 187 This is such a personal question and there's no shame in not being able to afford expensive treatment. I have a 21 year old cat now, who we spend about $200 a month on top of food on medicine, fluids and Solencia. We all agree to take on pets and their medical care and I am very fortunate to be able to afford this now. But we had to decline cancer treatment for a cat a few years ago because we wouldn't have been able to cover it and continue to pay our mortgage. Do you best, but also
    via bwalker187
  • 09
    Painted Oak Tears OP 100% people can be very unsympathetic about people struggling to afford the vet on the internet I've noticed. I've delayed medical treatment for myself in favor of vet bills: but sometimes there is no good options. When I was younger and couldn't afford this much I just did what I could when I could. I never bought a cat, I took in animals from the streets abandoned and dong and did my best for them always. I have reached out to countless charities etc. for help over the yea
    via PaintedOakTears

  • We understand, too, that for some people, ten thousand dollars might be too much to pay for anyone, their pets included. Sometimes, life simply doesn't allow for this. But… the amazing thing about cats is that they rule the internet. If you're having trouble paying for your cat to save their life, one thing that you should always remember is that the internet is going to be on your side, and we will help. Just ask, and you will be amazed at the way that people are able to come together to help a tiny kitty in need. 

  • 10
    Cheezburger Image 10623519232
    via PaintedOakTears
  • 11
    katphish42 I recently spent about $8k on mine to bring her back from liver failure. It's been an uphill battle and I'm in debt up to my ears, but she's finally happy and healthy again. She turns 10 this summer
    via katphish42
  • 12
    Painted Oak Tears OP Really happy she managed to come back from that! Strong kitty
    via PaintedOakTears
  • 13
    Cheezburger Image 10623518976
    via PaintedOakTears
  • 14
    ail-san Aren't there insurances for it in your country? Although they won't accept it in this state.
    via ail-san
  • 15
    PaintedOakTears OP Pet insurance doesn't cover anything pre existing and her hip was already shattered when we got her. I have pet insurance for some of my other pets and so far in my experience so far they almost always find an excuse to not pay
    via PaintedOakTears
  • 16
    Commercial-Bat5208 I'd spend all of my money and all of everyone's money for my kitty cat
    via Commercial-Bat5208
  • 17
    yourgirllexii I treat my kitty likes she's my child so there's no limit
    via yourgirllexii_
  • 18
    PBSchmidt Look at her. Really look at her how she looks at you. Now, do you still count money?
    via PBSchmidt
  • 19
    Few-Entertainer7431 I spent thousands on my cat who had multiple medical issues and needed ER visits twice. I lost him last year, but I would've spent every dime I had to have more time with him.
    via Few-Entertainer7431

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

aww pics wholesome cat adorable cute cute cats Cats
Scroll Down For The Next Article