Question:
People always try to do this to me: I've got 3 people ( a shelter worker, my mother & an coworker who is a pet hoarder) trying to ram cats down my throat. I feel bad but honestly it costs me about $75 a month to provide Hank w/ the living she deserves, so I can't take any more. It wouldn't be fair.
HOW on Earth can there be so many people trying to unload cats all the time? Where do all these cats come from?


Answer:
I have the same problem, but not just with cats. It is so hard to say no but I don't think it's fair to my current animals to bring in more pets. I usually end up trying to find a home for the pet. With enough persistence, it usually works.


Answer:
Well I have 8 cats and people always think this means I am willing to take in more....NOT! They feel I must be thinking what's ONE more cat. If the person offering me a cat only has two, I say "you only have two, why don't YOU take the cat in?" It never fails. They always say "I couldn't possibly. I'm so busy...and the vet bills...it wouldn't be fair."


Answer:
I counted the cats/kittens that people are giving away on PEI in our local buy/sell/trade classifieds....248 this week. How's that for pathetic, irresponsible and just down right unbelievable. Why is this spay/neuter concept so hard to grasp?


Answer:
I think that the spay/neuter concept is an easy one for responsible pet owners that aren't mesmerized by kittens...and for those who know how many cats are killed everyday in shelters around the world.


Answer:
Originally Posted by kingsborochins
I counted the cats/kittens that people are giving away on PEI in our local buy/sell/trade classifieds....248 this week. How's that for pathetic, irresponsible and just down right unbelievable. Why is this spay/neuter concept so hard to grasp?
this is why i dont advocate petstores, they take in kittens to sell from desparate people who then go oh well got rid of them this time they will just keep taking them i dont need to worry about it. meanwhile the petstore makes a killing off of them. even sadder with puppies, with "purebreds" they actually PAY people for them so it really is no incentive to spay/neuter their dogs. petstores are selling mutts for up to $900!!!!


Answer:
Personally I think it would be nice if they would set up more spay and neuter clinics around Canada and then there wouldn't be so many unwanted litters of kittens and puppies. Most people can't afford the cost for the spay and neuter and hence the excess in litters.


Answer:
JMHO, but if you can't afford to spay or neuter your cat, you shouldn't have one. They are by far one of the cheapest procedures that vets perform.


Answer:
I don't think it's really fair to say that if you can't afford to spay/neuter a cat you shouldn't have one. But if you DON'T spay/neuter you should be responsible enough to make sure that all your unaltered cats are the same sex and make the cat an indoor cat and be as close to 100% sure that the cat can't escape. That's our situation. We have enough money for emergency vet bills, vaccinations, food, etc., but we can't really afford an "optional" surgery like spaying. BUT 5 of our 7 cats ARE altered and the two who aren't are both females. We live on the third floor of an apartment building. Outside our door is a small hallway with 2 doors leading down 2 sets of stairs. These doors are always kept closed because they're fire doors. We regularly check our screens to make sure they're secure, so I feel pretty confident saying there's no way our cats could get out. Just my 2 cents


Answer:
I would also feel confident with an unspayed cat in your situation. But you can bet that as soon as I had extra cash for the spay, I would be getting it done. My concern is people who have every intention of keeping the cat in (after all, it's a lot cheaper than a spay) but are careless and the cat ends up getting out time after time. I feel that your case is different...of the people that I know personally, those who choose not to spay would not be able to cover any emergency vet bills. They would prefer to spend the $120 on dining out, buying themselves luxuries, etc. I know that you are not one of these people. So, yes, in your case, it is unfair to say you shouldn't have cats. Then again, you are an exceptional cat slave.