Scott Jund, a St. Augustine-based gamer and streamer with over 200,000 followers on both YouTube and Twitch, raised more than $15,000 for his sick cat, Buddy, in a matter of days, according to a GoFundMe post.
Jund, who has racked up 111 million views on YouTube alone and is known for engaging gameplay and educational content, particularly in Dead by Daylight, posted his plea over the weekend.
Buddy, a constant presence on Jund’s streams often seen perched on his lap, suddenly became critically ill.
He stopped eating, hid away, and appeared weak and lethargic. When Jund and his partner Jen rushed him to the emergency vet, they expected routine issues. Instead, Buddy was diagnosed with severe anemia.
His PCV (a measure of red blood cells) had plummeted to just 13%, putting him in critical condition and requiring immediate hospitalization, blood transfusions, and round-the-clock care, according to his post.
Faced with mounting veterinary bills, Scott turned to his loyal online community. The response was overwhelming. Within just a few days, fans from around teh country and beyond donated more than $15,000 to cover Buddy’s treatment.
“Been watching since I found you when I got into Dark Souls 3, thank you for the almost 10 years of content and praying that Buddy will be okay,” one $300 donor commented.
Another watcher put up $1000 anonymously.
Even after an initial improvement, Buddy’s condition remains fragile, with his blood levels dropping again. Doctors are now exploring immune-related causes, and Buddy’s hospital stay has been extended.
“I’ll keep everyone updated, and thank you so much for the support,” Jund wrote on Sunday.
