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I saw an ad on Craigslist for “FREE KITTENS.” I went to pick one out, but when I arrived, I found the home in deplorable condition. I took the last two kittens because I couldn’t leave one behind.

Photo: Lisa

When I got home, I noticed they were covered in fleas and had worms protruding from their rectums. I got them cleaned up and dewormed, and they were such sweethearts. Both would climb up to my neck and nuzzle against me.

I bought them the best food, the coolest toys, and the softest blankets. I watched them grow, play, and tumble around together. I looked forward to their greeting me at the door when I got home from work.

When they were old enough, I had them neutered and given their first vaccinations.

Fast-forward nine months. I noticed my Inky wasn’t acting like himself. He wasn’t playing, so I took him to the vet. He tested positive for feline leukemia. He was very anemic and had lost so much weight. I had to have him put to sleep.

I feared his brother would test positive as well. I cried for days. Inky wasn’t even a year old yet.

I knew I had to keep my other boy healthy to help protect him from a secondary illness. Then he developed a cough. I took him in, hoping antibiotics could treat what I thought might be pneumonia. X-rays revealed a mass on his left lung.

Because he wasn’t in pain, I decided to bring him home and spoil him during the last few days of his life. He had grilled salmon fillets, beef tenderloin, lobster, and all the cat treats he would eat.

I finally laid him to rest yesterday.

After spending a small fortune and suffering a severely broken heart, I’m writing to reach out to you. Please, do not get a pet from Craigslist. I learned a valuable lesson, and it was a painful one.

The SPCA or your local animal shelter always needs people to adopt their animals. If you bring a pet into your life, make sure you have the time and finances to care for them.

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Story submitted by Lisa from Upstate, NY.

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!