From the Brink of Euthanasia to a New Life: Buttons’ Story

Meet Buttons, a sweet feral cat who was lovingly cared for by a kind woman in Maryland. As the weather turned colder, Buttons was brought indoors. That’s when her struggle to breathe became heartbreakingly clear.

After several visits to different hospitals, she was diagnosed with a severe diaphragmatic hernia — her intestines and liver had shifted into her chest, pressing on her heart. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring skilled surgical care.

Determined to save her, Buttons’ rescuer drove more than 170 miles to Anicira in Virginia for life-saving surgery.

“They saved her life. The only alternative was euthanasia.”

Sadly, pets across the country face this same fate—not because they aren’t loved, but because their families can’t afford the care they need.

At Anicira, we’re working to end economic euthanasia so pets like Buttons can live the happy, healthy lives they deserve.