I have a male cat that's about 1 year old. He needs his shots and to get fixed still. He's an indoor/outdoor cat and hasn't been showing signs of being sick. I work a good job, but with bills and rent it's impossible for me to get him to a vet. I also don't drive. I live in Altadena...any suggestions on what I can do for him?
2007-08-08 04:13:07 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
If you can't afford to look after an animal then you really shouldn't own a cat. What would happen if your cat got really sick and need a vet right away? Would you just let him suffer cause you couldn't afford a vet? I would look at giving the cat away for free and not getting an animal until you can afford to look after it.
2007-08-08 04:17:49 · answer #1 · answered by Erika 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Your biggest concern is that a tom cat will start marking your house up, especially if they see or hear another tom or a female in their territory. They will do this even if they are inside and see or smell one through the window or when the door is open. A lot of animal shelters will spay or neuter a pet for you at a much cheeper price since they do not want all the animals breeding around anyway. You can usually get a tom cat neutered for about $15 that way so I would check with your local ones or even ones in major cities near you that would do it. Also, some vets charge cheeper prices for that proceedure so check around with them all and they also will take payments too at some of the places so that is also a possibility. As far as shots, you can get away with not giving them as long as you keep your pet inside at all times and no other pet is allowed in your home, whether they get the shots or not. I have that situation right now since my youngest cat had a very bad reaction to his baby distemper so now we aren't giving shots to either cat for any reason and that is the vets suggestion. We just make sure that they are in a cage and not on a leash when they go to the vet and she makes sure that they are not exposed to any other animal while there. Hope that helps.
2007-08-08 04:21:48 · answer #2 · answered by 'Sunnyside Up' 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vet bills are expensive, that's why I have an emergency account for them. I have my employer take out $20 from each paycheck and it automatically goes to this fund. Maybe you could try planning something like that for future expenses? If you can't do something like that because you are really stretched too thin already, maybe you should consider not owning a pet until you can afford it.
In the meantime, you should be able to contact a local animal shelter or kennel and they can recommend you to a place that would have low-cost spay/neuter programs. Here, the city Kennel offers spay procedures for $40 and neuter procedures for $10. Call around and see what you can find out.
2007-08-08 04:22:29 · answer #3 · answered by Mlle A 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contact your local animal shelter to see if they have any clinic days where they will neutered your cat and give him there shots for a discounted price. i am sure you are doing the best you can and are a very loving pet owner, You have shown alot of responsibility by coming on here and wanting to find ways to have your cat fixed. Good luck.
2007-08-08 04:24:24 · answer #4 · answered by GI 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing for your cat (and for you as his owner) is to have him neutered as soon as possible. He is probably already spraying his territory outdoors and possibly indoors as well. You may have noticed a strong urine smell in the areas he frequents the most.
There are more disadvantages to not neutering male cats. If given access to the outdoors, non-neutered males are more likely to roam and get into fights with rival males when they are looking for females in heat or defending their own territories. These injuries can be serious and can lead to other medical conditions and diseases, including infections, skin problems, fleas and exposure to serious diseases such as Feline Leukemia, rabies and other incurable viruses. It is also vital that you vaccinate your cat to reduce his likelihood of developing these diseases after being exposed.
Since you live in the Los Angeles area, there are a number of Humane Societies, animal shelters and rescue groups that should be able to provide low cost or free neutering and rabies innoculation clinics. They should also have plenty of ideas how to care for a cat when you are on a tight budget. Believe me, I'm on a tight budget, too, and without the help of local rescue groups, the Humane Society and my WONDERFUL veteranarian, I never would have been able to take care of the final illness of my last cat and the adoption of my current little fuzz ball.
I urge you to please, if you love your cat, have him innoculated and neutered as soon as possible and if possible keep him indoors at all times. This will keep him safe from exposure to diseases and other animals that can carry them, as well as keep him safe from cars and other people who dislike cats!
Checking the web, I have found two chapters of the Humane Society in your area, in Glendale and San Gabriel Valley. They would be the best places for you to start. And don't assume that you will get the same answer from both sources. Around here (in New York state), the Humane Societies are independently run, so there may be a program available at one place that is not available somewhere else.
Please hurry and arrange for your cat to have neutering and shots as soon as possible. I would hate to have something bad happen to him!
2007-08-08 05:23:22 · answer #5 · answered by Yvonne P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's in CA right?
There are dozens of free and low cost neuter programs in CA. Here is a list
http://www.lovethatcat.com/stca.html
Start calling people to learn about thier programs and policies. You may need to get on a waiting list or find a ride to the clinic if they cannot come to you.
What ever you do, please try to get your cat neutered, and please keep him inside until you do. Your cat has most likely fathered dozens of kittens by now that are on their way to shelters, adding to the over population problem.
Good thing for you is that it is cheaper to neuter a male than spay a female, so you have that to your advantage.
Please neuter him and keep him indoors so no more kittens have to die in shelters. You will be saving many lives.
2007-08-08 04:24:08 · answer #6 · answered by GoldfishPond 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why did you decide to get a pet if you cant properly take care of it? that was a bad descision on your part. i mean, if you can afford to buy food, a litter box, kitty litter, toys, a bed, ect., you should be able to pay the vet bills. id say do the best you can and when you get the money, do what you need to do.
2007-08-08 04:24:01 · answer #7 · answered by agray1021 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
try you local humane society they offer them for a reduced price some towns now and special breeds they actually fix them for free.
2007-08-08 04:19:33 · answer #8 · answered by pugs5678 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be best to make him an indoor cat. For one; I disagree with neuturing. And for two; don't let your cat be an outdoor cat if you don't have the money to care for it when it gets sick to begin with!!
Good luck...
2007-08-08 04:20:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
If you don't have money then why do you have a pet?
2007-08-08 12:32:45 · answer #10 · answered by Arturo O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋