Quick Question.?

Question

Here is a quick question for you all.

My lovely Neutered male cat likes to go outside regularly. Well, about 3 months or so ago, he brought home a friend. (This is not the first time he has done this.) Well, I put food outside for her and left her alone. My male refused to leave me alone, until I brought her inside. He screamed in the window until I gave in. Well, less than a month later, she had kittens. These kittens are now 9 weeks old, and I have had them fixed on Monday. I can't keep them myself because I already have 4 dogs, 3 cats (including their mother) and a hamster.

Now for the question. Do you think putting a sign outside (I live in a nice area, very near a school) and selling the kittens for say, $10 would be alright? I am afraid to just give them away, because someone may just take one on a whim, and then dump it at the pound. I though $10 isn't much, but it may make someone think twice. What do you think?

Answer 1

I think you should charge at least what it cost you to vaccinate and alter them. If it did not cost you then I would say at least charge $40 to keep away undesirable people.
I am sorry to say but I do not think $10 will make someone think twice about dumping their pet, in GSD rescue we take in/rescue dogs that people paid big money for and that does not stop them from dumping their dogs.
The best thing you can do is screen potential new owners and talk to them, make sure they understand what is involved in owning a cat, the pros as well as the cons. Find out their past pet history, if they talk about animals that lived to a ripe old age that would probably be a good home. You can not guarantee that the kittens do not end up being dumped but screening and getting a feeling about people can help prevent it.

Answer 2

First off, congratulations for being such a caring and concerned pet own! I think you've done everything that is responsible, humane and proper to this point.

Several vets that advise the ASPCA suggest setting the adoption fee at $40. This is what a responsible owner would be paying to have a kitten run through the first batch of shots and checked over. With your kittens they are getting an added value of not having to handle the spay / neuter issue.

Try to run through your personal and community networks close to you first. This puts the kitten into an environment you already have a connection with and feel confident about (after all...we're friends with people we like and trust).

If you still have kittens following this arrange to meet with perspective owners at a vets office or a local animal aid organization -- both will be able to give you valuable insight on potential owners. Don't invite strangers to your home to see kittens.

Spend about 30 minutes with each perspective new owner. Watch how they interact with a cat. Ask about former pets, learn what you can about their home environment, and even feel free to inquire about their knowledge of food and litter.

After this first meeting let them know you'll be in touch the next day. If you feel they are a good match call them 24 hours later, asking if they still want the kitten and gage their reaction to the news.

You're the control point for the future of these kittens. Your judgment and instincts now will determine the quality of their lives later.

Good luck. I have a feeling this litter will all end up in loving homes.

p.s. Do you think your cat might somehow be the father?

Answer 3

Kudos to you and your caring male cat! :) I agree with the other ideas that you should charge a price to deter the "I want" syndrome of children and negligent owners. I personally would not invite strangers into your home but, the public meeting area is a great idea. (ie: the local pet shop). I would think that you should charge more than $10 to deter and also because you did have each kitten fixed and that is not a cheap ordeal. I would think that if you placed signs in the grocery store, gas stations, etc. you will find enough interested/ good quality home for each. There are many people that would have tossed momma cat and babies once they were born because of the amount of work and money involved with each one. So once again, Thanks for doing your part as a responsible pet owner/ caretaker and going the extra mile ("dollar") to have them fixed too.
Just as a reference, I "payed" $80 for my 6 month old kitty when I received him from the local SPCA. This was because he was fixed and had all current shots.

Answer 4

How much did it cost to fix each kitten? You should charge that much and advertise that the kittens are fixed.

It may be a good idea to advertise in the paper instead of just putting up a sign. That way, you won't have people who drive by with their kids and give in to the "I WANT A KITTY" only to dump the kitten off somewhere later. People who read the pet section of the classified ads are more likely to have already made the responsible decision to keep a pet.

Answer 5

I think that you are a very responsible pet owner. First you fix your pets and take in a stray who needs a home. Then you fix the new kittens and can understand that you aren't able to keep these cats and realize that they need a good home. You seem like a very very generous person, especially when you forked all of that money into the kittens to get them spayed and your only asking for $10 a cat. God Bless you. I think that you could probably get whatever money you put into the cats out of them. That way your not out all this money. Explain to the people that are interested in taking them that you are only asking for the cost of their spays and neuters so that they don't have to go through the hussle and bussle of the vet visits. They should be fine with it. Good Luck to you and your cats. I wish more owners where as generous as you.

Answer 6

Yes, that's a good idea. Rescue Groups always charge for the puppies, kittens, dogs and cat so do the Shelters. One it helps to cover costs. You're right you don't want people to get them on a whim and make sure they are responsible and will get their shots and have them spayed and neutered.

Your male cat was very smart to bring her home to you. Thank you for all that you have done and are still doing. All the best. Good Luck;^)

Answer 7

Lots of rescue places suggest setting a fee (say 30 or 40 dollars) to deter people who want the kitten for less than savory purposes. (People who fight dogs are reported to go through pets sections of the newspaper looking for "Free To Good Home" dogs, puppies, cats and kittens to train their dogs to kill on.)

On the other hand, there are so many kittens in the world that many people are completely averse to shelling out any money for one - for any reason. They'd rather wait and find an ill one sitting in the street than pay someone 10 dollars for a healthy, well socialized one that's not going to cost as much in medications and shots at the vet.

Try putting an ad in your paper and in local pet supply stores (I say supplies because if the place sells kittens, obviously they aren't going to let your advertise yours there) for kittens for adoption - minimal fee. Something like that.

If, at the end of two or three weeks (or however long you feel is long enough) you still have kittens, take them to a rescue and surmise the situation for them. People expect to pay an adoption fee to an animal rescue group, and kittens go very quickly. Many people aren't averse to paying a rescue group but won't pay an individual because they like to think their money is going to save or help other animals, rather than into someone's pocket. (Not saying you're doing this at all, but that's the way some people feel - I recommend that you DO put a price on them.)

Kudos to you - and your very smart and persistent male cat! - for helping this lady cat and her family out.

Answer 8

NO - it is not a good idea. You could be inviting strangers to your home pretending they want a cat but are really people that could hurt you! Also, beware of "bunchers" - these people act very nice & pet loving, but acquire animals to sell to laboratories for experimentation or dissection. - they usually want "free" animals, so always charge an adoption fee. You could check w/rescue groups, explain the circumstances, & to see if they will let you show pets w/theirs at adoption fairs. If not, network w/ people you know - they may not want a pet but may know someone who does, run news ads or put up signs w/kitten photos & your ph. # at pet stores, vet hospitsla, grocery stores, church, schools, etc. if they allow it. Meet people at a public spot, taking the kittens w/you in carriers, or be sure other adults are at your home if a stranger comes there. (You can usually meet inside a local petstore. ) Obtain info from them by phone prior meeting - get their address & phone #, have they had pets? where are they now & what happened to them? do they have children & what are there ages? ask if they want an inside or outside cat - are you comfortable with their answers? Most importantly try to get a feel for how responsible they will be & if they will make the kitten a priority & provide life long care. Get the vets' name & phone number & call it asking for a vet reference - they will tell you. do they rent or own a home - if they rent, ask if you can call landlord to be sure they are allowed to have a pet - many people try to "sneak" one in when it is not allowed or they don't want to pay a fee & then the animal is discovered & they dump it. These kitties lives are in your hands - try to find the best homes you can. I look for people w/ no tiny children who have previously had long-lived pets & have good vet references. Listen to your gut & Don't be afraid to say NO if someone seems wrong - you can always say you changed your mind & decided to keep them, or you had several people interested & decided to place the kitten with someone else, if you feel uncomfortable giving them the real reason. I've found the best homes are those w/previous pet experience, long-lived pets, & good vet references. People who are offended by your questions may be hiding something, so don't worry about losing them. Good Luck!

Answer 9

Yes, I think that you could do that but the real question is, Is this person going to be responsible with the kitten?
Rather than charging for them, why not just ask a series of questions about the care plan for each adopted kitten.
If the people seem as if they have thought it through, then you've accomplished your goal of finding caring people.
Good luck

Answer 10

First, are you sure your male is neutered?
Cats that are adopted from shelters must be neutered and have an ID chip inserted under their skin. It costs about 50 bucks. If you sell them without neutering them you are contributing to the overpopulation and suffering of innocent cats. You would be better off giving the kittens to a pet store or a county animal shelter. Kittens are not hard to find homes for, it's the older cats that are hard to place in good homes.