Pet Sitter With Brain Tumor Gets Support From Hudson County Neighbors Via GoFundMe

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — John Amato, who sits for pets around Hudson County, started feeling a little "off" in 2020, according to neighbors who set up a GoFundMe this month. He ignored his dizziness and declining vision as the pandemic continued, but when he eventually got checked out, he found out he has a brain tumor and a rare kind of nasal cancer.

Now, friends and clients of the Jersey City resident — who owns Doggie's Playmate Pet Sitting Services — have set up a fundraiser to help him with bills and food as he prepares to undergo seven weeks of radiation therapy at Sloane-Kettering in New York City.

The radiation is going to be five days per week, Amato says in a video on the page, and he has to take an Uber back and forth rather than public transportation.

"He’s always got a smile on his face for the humans and big hs for all of the animals he meets," says the fundraising page, set up by Vanessa and Liz Freedman. "He’s known for his sunny disposition and larger-than-life energy."

"Jesse and I are wishing you all the best here!" wrote a pet owner, posting a photo of a puppy. "We know you’ll get through this even better than ever! Your boi Chauncey is watching over you from heaven and sending his love too!"

Others posted that John was always good to their dogs he met, even if they weren't a client.

"John makes up the good heart of Jersey City," wrote a commenter.

"Your support means the world to me," Amato says in the video.

As of Friday, the fundraiser was nearing its goal, but not quite there. Check out the fundraiser here.

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