For the past 27 years, Willie Ortiz has spent his days searching for scrap metal to sell to feed and care for feral cats in Hartford, Connecticut, writes blog.theanimalrescuesite.

He drives his pickup truck from town to town looking for any scraps that can be sold to pay for cat food and vet bills for over 70 stray and feral cats.

The 80-year-old U.S. Army veteran makes sure no cat goes hungry and visits the community cats daily to feed and check in on them.

Providing for the stray and feral cats has become his life mission, and it all began decades ago when he noticed the overwhelming number of homeless cats in his community.

He decided to do something about it.

Ever since that first day, his love and devotion to the stray and feral felines has not wavered.

Aside from making sure their bellies are full, Ortiz hopes to reduce the amount of feral cats by having each spayed/neutered and vaccinated. In addition, he makes “cubby holes” to keep the cats warm during the winter and brings pregnant felines to his friend, Roberta, who cares for the cats until they can find forever homes.

Even though he searches every day for metal scraps, he still comes up short.

Ortiz’s good friend and helper, Kathleen Schlentz, created a GoFundMe page years ago to raise funds to help cover the cost of spaying/neutering and food for the 19 feral cat communities the veteran cares for.

“Donations made to this campaign will be used to help keep the cats fed, secure his mission for years to come, and allow him to get more cats spayed, neutered, vaccinated and fed — all of which costs at least $76.00 per cat,” states the campaign.

The original goal has been surpassed but people continue to donate as the cost to feed and care for the cats is an ongoing expense.

Recently, Ortiz had to rely on Schlentz and others to feed and care for his beloved cats as he recovered from a broken foot.

Schlentz provided an update in which she said, “I know now why Willie calls this ‘his mission’. This is not just a hobby or something he does to fill his time, this is something that is a part of who he is.”

Being away from his feline friends for just one day was torture for Ortiz.

“I have asked him if he ever dreads having to go out every night, he said ‘No, I miss them when I don’t see them and they miss me’. Does he ever want to skip a night? He said ‘I eat everyday, they eat everyday’. He makes life seems so simple. I love that about Willie,” wrote Schlentz.

Ortiz and his wife Aleja have resumed all the feedings and do so without complaint. The past four months were long and hard for the cat lover, but he has been reunited his cats and thanks everyone for their support.

Ortiz has not only inspired his friends and community with his generous heart, but people across the country who have donated to his cause.

The world is a better place thanks to people like Ortiz.

This story originally appeared on blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com

Cats are good at self-maintenance. But even your fastidious feline can't prevent some of these more common cat diseases and health issues.

1. Vomiting

Vomiting is a very common problem with cats with a multitude of causes. They range from eating something poisonous or inedible (like string), to infection, urinary tract disease, or diabetes to hairballs.

Symptoms are usually obvious, and include drooling and abdominal heaving. Vomiting can quickly leave your cat dehydrated, so if kitty continues vomiting or acts ill, call your vet right away. It may help to collect a sample of your cat's vomit and take it with you to the vet.

2. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD)

Some estimates say as many as 3% of cats seen by vets have feline lower urinary tract disease ( FLUTD), which is actually a group of feline diseases with multiple causes.

Female and male cats can get FLUTD, and it often occurs in cats that are overweight or unfit or who eat dry food. Stress, a multi-cat household, and sudden changes can all raise a cat's risk of FLUTD, and treatment depends on the type of FLUTD your cat has.

FLUTD symptoms include:

• Straining to urinate
• Bloody urine
• Urinating in unusual places
• Crying when urinating
• Licking around the urinary area (often because of pain)
• Depression
• Dehydration
• Lack of appetite
• Vomiting

It's always an emergency if your cat can't urinate. Call your vet immediately if you suspect your cat has a urinary tract problem.

3. Fleas

Fleas are a very common external feline health problem. But it's one you can easily treat. Signs your cat has fleas include:

• Flea dirt on its skin (they look like tiny black dots)
• Constant scratching
• Frequent licking
• Red or irritated skin
• Hair loss
• Skin infections or hot spots

Fleas can live for more than a year, and your cat risks anemia if the problem becomes serious, so be sure to treat your cat's flea problem and prevent future infestations.

Talk to your vet about which flea control would be best for your cat. Treatments include oral medication, powders, foams, and topical medication. Fleas are uncommon in Utah. If you adopt a pet from a region outside of Utah or are housing a pet that recently came from another state, please be aware of fleas.

4. Tapeworms

One of the most common feline health problems inside your cat, tapeworms live in kitty's small intestine and sometimes grow as long as 2 feet.

Symptoms of a tapeworm infection can be subtle but may include vomiting and weight loss. The easiest way to tell if your cat has tapeworms is to look at its feces and around its anus. If you see small white worms or what look like grains of rice or sesame seeds, your cat likely has tapeworms.

Treatment options include injection, oral, or topical medication. But because cats almost always get tapeworms as a result of swallowing a flea, be sure to handle any flea problems your cat has before tackling tapeworms.

5. Diarrhea

Many things can cause diarrhea in cats, including spoiled food, allergies, infection, liver disease, cancer, and more.

Symptoms of diarrhea are loose, watery, or liquid stool. Depending on its cause, diarrhea can last for a day, a week, or months.

If your cat has diarrhea, offer kitty plenty of fresh, clean water to prevent  dehydration. Then remove kitty's food for no more than 12 to 24 hours. Take your cat to the vet if he or she still has diarrhea after a day or immediately if you notice vomiting, dark, or bloody stools, fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite or if your cat is straining to defecate.

6. Eye Problems

Eye problems in cats can be caused by a number of things, including  conjunctivitis, cataracts, glaucoma, trauma, viruses, inflammation, and retinal disease.

A few symptoms that may mean your cat has eye problems include watery eyes, tear-stained fur, cloudiness, red or white eyelid linings, gunk in the corners of the eye, squinting, pawing at the eye, or a visible third eyelid.

Unless you know what's causing your cat's eye problems, there isn't much you can do other than wipe away any gunk with a damp cotton ball. After that, call your vet.