At the end of May, three kittens, each weighing around 200 grams, were found at a bus stop. They were so small that they needed bottle-feeding, warmth and round-the-clock care.

One of them had a seriously infected eye. The abscess had spread right through the iris, and it was uncertain whether it would lose the eye. Yet it fought on. Thanks to veterinary care, the eye was saved.

I thought that was the end of my kitten rescues for this year.

It didn’t.

I took Oliver into my care, a little ginger tom found during the height of the heatwave on the scorching tarmac between cars.

And then more kittens arrived.

They were barely a few days old. They still had their umbilical cords. They needed feeding day and night, keeping warm, help with going to the toilet, and their weight monitored down to the last gram.

Suddenly, I had six rescued kittens at home who were completely dependent on human help.

I’m not a shelter or an organisation. I’m just an ordinary mum who has been rescuing cats from the streets for a long time and couldn’t turn my back on animals that wouldn’t stand a chance without help.

I myself live with multiple sclerosis and have eight rescued cats at home. Yet when an animal in need lies before me, I cannot bring myself to say: ‘I don’t have the money, so I’ll just leave it be.’

But this time, the costs have exceeded what I can afford.

I paid over 17,000 Kč for veterinary care in the space of a month. Local authorities aren’t communicating when it comes to providing assistance and are acting as if it’s none of their business. Special milk for kittens, food, medication, vet check-ups, pads, litter, disinfectant and other essentials all cost extra.

The formula milk alone is disappearing at an incredible rate. With kittens this small, they need to be fed every three hours, day and night.

That is why I am asking for your help.

I will use the funds raised for veterinary care, check-ups, treatment and any further procedures, milk and food for the kittens, medication, anti-parasitic treatments and other healthcare supplies, pads, litter, disinfectant and the equipment needed to care for them.

If the amount raised allows, I will also use the money for neutering, vaccinations and microchipping the kittens before they are rehomed.

I can provide receipts for all veterinary care expenses.

If I manage to raise more money than is needed to care for these kittens, I will use the remaining funds to help other stray cats in my care, or I will donate them transparently to a selected charity or cat shelter that helps abandoned cats.

I’m sharing the kittens’ full story on social media as it unfolds. I want everyone who donates to be able to see who their money is helping and how the kittens are getting on.

I don’t want to save the world. I just don’t want to let an animal die when I can help it.

If you can contribute even just a few dozen crowns, you’ll help pay for more food, a litter tray, medicine or part of the veterinary treatment.

If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing the fundraiser is a huge help too.

Thank you to everyone who helps us carry on.

For me. For Oliver. For the kittens who’ve already been given a chance. And for the others who might need one.