Think before you get a new cat, kitten, dog or puppy

[Frances]

. . .  you get pedigree cats in rescue - so i am reliably told  

Sadly true, Ambi.  My late mum fostered a pedigree persian whose previous owners couldn't/wouldn't keep up with her grooming requirements.  She had so many clumps on her belly and legs that she had to be clipped to get rid of them.  She had socialisation problems too and spent weeks behind the sofa and under the bed.  Fortunately my mum joined the failed fosterers club and Georgie became a complete cuddlebum.

 

[JackSpratt]

I agree. People aren't taught the value of much any more.

[Ambi]

.... have to say all these ads were breaking my heart every day.

It makes me sad too. People are too quick to see animals as disposable.

We live in a throw away society. When they want "rid" its gone & unfortunately animals fall into that category. You get people pay hundreds for a pedigree dog or cat but than means nothing when the novelty wears off. Rescues are full of pedigree dogs & you get pedigree cats in rescue - so i am reliably told

Its the irresponsible thst get kittens & dont neuter/spay that get to me

[JackSpratt]

.... have to say all these ads were breaking my heart every day.

It makes me sad too. People are too quick to see animals as disposable.

[Ambi]

Mindy was a wee feral kitten and as soon as we got her we insured her, PetPlan where quite happy to do so as we already had Amber and Tim with them.  Usually when you go to the vets with a new pup or kitten you get 4 weeks free insurance - just decided to cut that out and insure


I have to say Cat insurance is a lot cheaper than dog insurance

I also have to say that Cat food is a lot dearer than dog food   I suppose if you fed all dry it may balance out but I believe in giving them the choice of what they want.  Tim + Amber are sort of half and half.  Mindy wont even sniff dry food

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I agree Js and Lupin came from a site and its where many breeders sell their kittens, only the ads are free!

I thought that Lupin was in need to come to a good home rather than a backstreet breeder as he was unneutered but have to say all these ads were breaking my heart every day.

[JackSpratt]

Hence this statement:

But recognise that it may cost more because not all animals on free ads are "as advertised."

You mean people put animals on those sites to jump rescue queues? Not the case, most of them aren't even aware of half of the rescues in their area. They aren't attempting to jump the queues....some of them either don't have a clue how to go about rehoming or (and this one peeves me a lot) can't be bothered to find out.

I'll always think the animals on free ad sites are more at risk than most of the rescue animals I know of. That's not to say I don't understand that without rehoming fees and donations the rescues wouldn't be able to help more animals.

I think what people have to really think about is if the reason an animal is being rehomed is truthful on some of those sites. People will give a generic reason when it's something much more complex.

[Liz]

Sadly the free ads and GT do not mean you are getting a healthy or happy cat as folks have found on here and other sites and some folks do this to jump queues for rescue spaces

[JackSpratt]

I agree that the cost of caring for any animal must be taken into account if you are considering a newbie. You have to think about what you'd be prepared to "go without" if you're on a limited budget, or if you have a lot of animals that require costly regular attention.

I do however, disagree with only getting a cat from a rescue. If a cat is on a "free ad site" my feeling is they're more at risk than a rescue cat with a No PTS policy as there's no safe guards against the wrong people taking them. But recognise that it may cost more because not all animals on free ads are "as advertised."

(I help people find safe sites to rehome cats, and ask that for this either the adoptee or the previous person caring for the animal donates to a rescue to ensure that the people taking in animals full time get some form of financial support from this action.)

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

This is good advice but sometimes it doesnt work out!

I knew Lupin  wasnt even registered with a vet, couldnt get from a rescue cos of his breed and what I wanted.

He arrived here in the early hours of Friday 1 Jul and by 1730 he was at vets and checked out absolutely fine.

On the Monday he was still fine and went for neutering by tues he had an upset stomach and a month on he still has, although there are now signs that with special food this is starting to clear...................if only I had eyes in back of head to stop him stealing food!

He is a little piggy ..........sigh

He is insured now too but until his tummy is settled its an exclusion and am hoping it will not be a permanent one.

I would like to add to Lizs advise, that insurance really is a necessity and I regret very much stopping the birmans insurance last Oct. Its always swings and roundabouts and I decided that I would creat a slush fund for the two of them but by January over £700 had all gone and that was well before Napoleon became ill again and of course I still have little Ducha who is 18yrs on Sat.

He only has 3 legs and broke a bone in a front ankle in Jan on the side where he has no leg, so was really a problem and like Liz said in another post, at the time, I also just wanted him to get better.

Her message however is clear and right and you must add up all the potential costs which includes insurance.

[Liz]

There are some things folks need to consider before adding to their feline families like vets bills and other associated costs that folks seem to foget before adding to their family

At best ensure you pay all your outstanding vets bills before you contemplate getting another one they can get ill at any point and strech your finances to the limit

Try and ensure you get them from a rescue at least they will have had a full health check and you will be advised if there are any potential health problems

Cats and dogs are wonderful when they are well and doing all the things they should be but illness can cause stress to everyone