“I’m desperate, grasping at straws and doing everything I possibly can,” wrote Caity Johnson in the Esquimalt Community Connection Facebook page, making a plea for aid while she tries to figure out how she will afford her dog’s surgery.
Her pitbull named Django recently tore his right ACL, just one year after tearing his left one.
Johnson says that the surgery cost her a total of $5,738.25 and that is a figure that she just cannot afford on her own right now.
For the first time Django tore an ACL, she says she was forced to take out a loan, and after that, pet insurance skyrocketed to the point where she could not afford that either.
“Living on disability income has its constraints, and the prospect of taking another loan is not just daunting but impossible, leaving Django and me stuck between a rock and a hard place,” Johnson said.
“The thought of rehoming him tears my heart apart, especially considering our deep bond but I’m coming to a point where ethically I feel like I’m harming him if I can’t get him this surgery.”
“I truly do not know what to do,” she continued.
Johnson says that Django is more than just a pet to her, he is her source of emotional support.
She lives in an apartment which has 15 stairs and fears that Django’s health will just continue to deteriorate if he goes on without the surgery—relying on a wheelchair-type aid for mobility.
Johnson has also looked into finding more suitable living conditions, but given the current state of the housing and rental market, she cannot find an affordable place to live that would be more accessible to Django.
As a last-ditch-effort to help give her dog a chance at a happy, mobile future, Johnson created a GoFundMe page to try and raise money to pay the costs of the surgery.
“Any contribution, no matter how small, will be immensely appreciated and will go a long way in lightening our burden,” said Johnson.
“I completely understand with today’s economy not everyone is in a financial situation that they can help.”
For those who can’t provide monetary aid, she asks that they try to like, share and comment on her Facebook post as a way of boosting its presence in Facebook’s algorithm.
“With heartfelt thanks and hope for a brighter future, Caity and Django,” she concluded.
In addition to the GoFundMe, Johnson has set up a bottle drive through the Bottle Depot at all locations in Victoria.
To donate, just say you want to give to the “ACL surgery fund for Django” at the counter.
