PALOS VERDES PENINSULA (CBSLA.com) — A Southland woman got a big surprise when Buttercup, the “fat” miniature horse she adopted, actually gave birth to a foal.

Unfortunately, the foal — a girl they have named Angel –  was born prematurely and needs almost constant care in the ICU to pull through.

Deborah Melzak Gorney says she’s maxed out all her credit cards.

The Chino Valley Equine Hospital costs about $800-1000 a day. Gorney makes the 75 mile trek there every day.

The family is trying to raise $8,000 as the horse will require at least another week of care. As of Wednesday afternoon, they were slightly under half of their goal for the foal.

Here is a link to the family’s fundraising website.