Couple gets kidney transplant for beloved cat

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By Karen Harrison Binette

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Andre Gonciar and his wife love their cat Oki as much as anyone might love a close family member, they say when asked about the extraordinary expense they have taken on to save his life and buy him a few more years.

Gonciar rescued and adopted Oki when he found him clinging to life in a creek in Romania several years ago, when he was just a kitten.

“He’s definitely a fighter,” said Gonciar.

Oki’s life was in danger recently from kidney failure and his petparents arranged for him to have a kidney transplant at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital.

The Gonciars live in Buffaly, NY and traveled with Oki to Philadelphia for the cat’s surgery.

In accordance with the hospital’s policy, Oki’s family agreed to adopt the organ donor kitty, a shelter cat named Cherry Garcia who was in danger of euthanization. Both cats are doing well following the surgery, and because of the adoption arrangement two lives were saved.

“This little kitten has given Oki the gift of life,” said Gonciar. “We owe him thanks for that.”

Oki’s surgery cost more than  $16,000. Gonciar says he hopes the total cost, including airfare, hotels, medical tests and follow-up appointments, does not go over $30,000.

The couple chose to use money the had saved for a deposit on a home for Oki’s surgery, which is expected to give the 12 year old cat at least a few more years of life.

In response to the question that might be raised by the extraordinary expenditure for a cat, Gonciar said: “Well I would tell them to look at their child or their mother and ask themselves the same question.”

Watch the CBS news report on the story:

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1 thought on “Couple gets kidney transplant for beloved cat”

  1. All I can say is you are the best parents ever!!!!! I would do the same thing for my kid. The furkids are that after all OUR KIDS! Some of us do not want flesh children. The furry ones are considered our kids and we will do everything to ensure they have a happy and healthy life. I love you for doing this. I wish both your kids a long life and thank you for adopting the other one from death. God love you all.

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