A neighborhood cat that hangs out near Seventh Son Brewing Co. is officially cancer free. Horatio is known affectionately as the "assistant manager" at the brewery.
When the brewery noticed he was sick, the community rallied to get him treatment.
"He's been a friend and mascot for us," Seventh Son Brewing co-founder Collin Castore said of 11-year-old Horatio.
The cat's image is on the brewery's Assistant Manager Golden Ale.
So when Horatio was diagnosed with fibrous sarcoma, which is a malignant cancer, the brewery family wanted to get him treatment.
Horatio underwent two surgeries to remove lumps and then five weeks of near-daily radiation treatments. Horatio, who typically lives in the neighborhood, stayed with a brewery family member during his treatment.
Castore said the cat was patient with the dozens of car rides and the robust treatment.
"It's a lot for anyone, you know. He was a trooper," Castore said.
The treatment cost about $28,000, but Seventh Son raised about $22,000 by selling glassware featuring Horatio's image and through community donations on a GoFundMe page.
After deducting about $5,000 for the cost of the glassware, Seventh Son put about $9,200 toward Horatio's treatment, and donated another $9,200 to the Davis Feline Research Fund and Ellie's Rainy Day fund, which helps pet owners who can't afford care.
"Everybody is very excited to hear that he's feeling better, and everybody's been super supportive of his care and his recovery," Castore said.
Castore said the brewery plans to keep raising funds and donating to the charities, though he imagines they will raise less money going forward. He hopes to make another donation later this summer.
Following robust treatment, Horatio is back to prowling the neighborhood and greeting patrons outside Seventh Son.
