An Ipswich tattoo artist has praised the 'incredible response' she received to a fundraiser set up to save the life of her beloved cat Max.
"Feisty, energetic and affectionate" Max has been the family pet of Sofiya Belousova, 29, for over eight years.
Tragedy struck in November last year, when Max was rushed to an Ipswich vet and diagnosed with a bladder blockage.
Though he recovered quickly, four months later he was rushed to the vet again and diagnosed with Feline Idiopathic Cystitis.
"He was completely unresponsive," said Ms Belousova.
"He just didn't eat and we all thought we were going to lose him.
"The vets said we'd have to put him down if he didn't improve."
She couldn't bare the thought of losing her companion and decided to persevere in order to give him the best shot at recovery.
As Max's insurance only covered him for up to £1,000 per condition and with initial costs totting up to a staggering £2,000, Ms Belousova was at her wits end.
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"I even put my rent money towards helping him," she added.
"So I decided to set up a fundraiser on the off chance that people would want to help and I was amazed at the incredible response."
In just a few days, Ms Belousova received over £2,500 in donations from over 150 people, alongside messages of support from other cat owners.
She said: "It just shows that humans can do amazing things when we come together."
With fluids and treatment easing his pain for now, Max is booked in for his life-saving surgery next week and will soon be back to purring on Ms Belousova's lap.
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