This is Koda, chowing down on her new prescription diet.

Last week, Lisa reached out to Bella Bear’s Senior Pet Sanctuary about her beloved 14-year-old cat, Koda.

Koda had been getting thinner and thinner, losing much of her muscle mass. She was still eating and drinking, but she seemed fragile, and getting her to eat enough had become increasingly difficult.

Lisa had been reading some of the stories on our page before contacting us. She told me she became so choked up that she couldn’t call, so she texted.

She had wanted to take Koda to the veterinarian for blood work for some time, but she simply couldn’t afford it. That was all I needed to know.

I made the appointment at VCA Yucca Valley where Koda received an examination and extensive blood and urine testing.

Most of Koda’s blood work was within normal ranges, but two of her kidney values — BUN and creatinine — were elevated. Because of Koda’s age and her slow, steady weight loss, her veterinarian is most suspicious of chronic kidney disease.

And now we have a plan.Her veterinarian recommended beginning with a prescription renal diet and Porus One kidney supplement, then repeating her kidney blood work in approximately 2–3 months to see how she responds.

So that is exactly what we are doing.

Yesterday, Koda’s first shipment arrived from Chewy: prescription Royal Canin renal wet food, prescription renal dry food, and a 30-day supply of Porus One supplement.

And this isn't a one-time bag of food.

Bella Bear’s will continue providing Koda’s prescription kidney diet each month and will pay for her follow-up veterinary care so that Lisa doesn't have to choose between her finances and caring for the cat she loves.

This is an enormous part of our mission that people don't always see.

Not every animal we help comes to live at the sanctuary.

Sometimes the best rescue is making sure an animal never has to leave the person who loves them in the first place.

If a senior pet has a loving home but their person cannot afford the medical care, specialized food, transportation, temporary care, or end-of-life assistance they need, we do everything within our ability and resources to bridge that gap.

Koda didn't need a new home.

She needed help staying healthy in the home she already has.