How would you tackle this moral dilemma involving an injured kitten?

I recently rescued an injured kitten from the parking lot of my work. I wasn’t in the market for a cat, but nobody else would take it in, so I agreed. I love cats and have wanted a companion for some time, but I wasn’t completely prepared for one financially. I’m 23 and I work at a non-profit in Los Angeles for a salary in the 35k area. Financially I’m stable, but I don’t have a lot left over for big expenses that just come up out of nowhere. My executive director agreed to cover the initial vet fees which totaled $400 if I would agree to take the cat. I figured that I could afford the day-to-day costs of having an animal. I was originally told that the cat’s leg would heal fine and he was sent home with a splint and a bandage. So home we went, and Scraggles and I spent the past week bonding.

I went in a week later and was told by the vet that they had “missed something.” They did a second x-ray (free of charge) and found a hip fracture (which I’m told will heal normally with rest) and a fracture in the “femoral head and neck.” Basically, there’s a fracture on the area where the leg connects to the hip. The vet quoted me a whopping $3,000 for the orthopedic surgery which is called a Femoral Head & Neck Osteotomy. I’m told that without the surgery, the leg will be a constant source of pain and lameness. Right now he seems happy and all, but I can tell that the leg is probably causing him some pain.

Here’s my dilemma. I was told by the vet that I could “shop around” for other prices, but I’m finding that places want to charge me over $100 even just to have a consultation. I’m concerned that I won’t be able to find anywhere that can do the surgery for much less. Even $1,000–2,000 is beyond my means. I have a couple friends who are vet techs who are looking into it. At this point in my life, I’m just not financially prepared to spend that kind of money on a cat that I’ve had for one week, even though I already have grown quite attached. I don’t want to do a payment plan, because I can’t even fathom spending that kind of money on him over time. But, I also don’t want him to be in constant pain just because I’m broke. And I don’t think that having the cat euthanized because I can’t afford his surgery is a viable option. I’ve also considered having some sort of fundraiser to gather funds to have the surgery. Finally, some folks have suggested amputation of the leg as a humane option that I guess will still allow him to have a long and happy life without pain. If I were to decide to give him up, I don’t know if I could find someone else who would want to take him, especially since there are SO many healthy kittens out there in the shelters this time of year.

What would you do if you were in my position?

Sorry that’s such a long explanation, but any advice, assistance, or donations would be much appreciated. :)