Need your advice...

Have you asked her how she can afford a pet if she can't afford her phone?

She might be thinking more of her comfort and happiness than that of the cat's - and if that is the case, it's not a good balance.

JMO

Y'know, after having read over my last post, I realized how smug I sounded when I said that I'd never consider giving up my furkids if I had financial problems, even though that isn't the question that you posed on this thread. I guess maybe I would consider it if it meant that I had no other choice and my cats would suffer the consequences if I kept them. I hope I didn't offend anyone w/that remark. We do what we have to sometimes, not what we want to.

If she took on Nelson and then he turned out to need lots of expensive care that she couldn't afford, her heart would be broken. I very much agree with the fostering option!

Love, Columbine

The Tribe agrees that fostering would be a good route for her. And the plus of her fostering is that she would be helping 2 cats...the one she fosters and the one she makes room for in the shelter when her foster comes to her house.

just our humble opinion....
The Tribe

I asked a couple of supervisors at work (privately) and BOTH of them said that she has enough trouble caring for herself, let alone a pet. So, the answer is no. I'd never forgive myself if something should happen to a pet I helped her get.

Good call, Donna!

Glad you did some asking around and stuck with your inner gut feelings, sad though as she probably will get a pet anyhow,whether you help her or not,let us hope she goes off the idea eh?

As much as she would like a cat, I don't think it would be a good idea. It is a big commitment. We have had vet's bills of $600 at a time for all 3 of ours. If she can't pay her phone bill, how can she look after an animal? This is how cats end up abandoned. I would advise her to foster. Then she is doing a good thing and has a companion.

She rides the bus to go wherever? To my knowledge, buses usually do not allow pets on board unless they're handicapped assistants. How would she transport a sick animal to the vets, assuming she could get vet care?

While I understand her needs, love isn't as much about your (her, in this case) needs as it is about caring for another and their needs. No cat needs to be in a place/home that cannot be depended upon to really care for the cat when it's called for.

If she truly desires to have a cat, then let this desire be the motivator for her to improve her financial circumstances in whatever way she can to make her dream come true.

Callie

I told her that in order to adopt a cat, she'll have to fill out an application and, since she's had a cat in the past, will also need to provide a vet reference. She was a little annoyed at that. I also asked her if the cat gets sick in the middle of the night, how will she get it to the vet. She said she'd call a friend. She is bound and determine to get a cat. Having said that, I told her I'd take her to the CT Humane Society. They're adoption process is strict and I can tell you right now, if she can't produce the referencec they require, the will not adopt to her. I'm friends with the director of cat adoptions there and will call her and give her a heads up. I don't know what else I can do at this point. I just feel in my gut that it wouldn't be in the best interest of the animal.

Well, at least if you let her try, she will find out. And perhaps someone can direct her to a life skills course (if she needs that) or a way to increase her income a bit.

That would give her a hand UP - and if she really wants a cat, might be the inspiration to motivate her.

EG "If you really want a cat, this is what you could do to increase your chances..." something like that.

But I don't know her, so...

I hope all works out!

Has she said what she'd do if the cat became sick and needed vet care? How she'd afford the vet care, and NOT have it PTS because she can't actually afford the cat?? Is she able to understand that she needs to do what is best for the pet and not what is best for herself???

Would either place allow her to foster a cat?? I think that is a good alternative.

Can you at least let her know that if she cannot take care of a pet, and it gets sick, it will suffer, and if she really cares about the pet, she won't get one till she can afford one??? Not that you lecture her, because I think that would make someone want to do the opposite even more... that's just the way a lot of people are.

Can you really try to drive home the option to foster, with her and with the shelter?? That would benefit them both.

JennLibrarian,

Personally, I think she's got her mind set to get a cat at any cost. I'm hoping that my friend Kitty will try and let her down gently. Best if she hears it from her than me.

Donna you can only do your best my friend, to guide her the right way, it sounds like she is determined at any cost to get a cat, so your hands are tied,honestly she can get one free i am sure in the papers if she really wanted, let us all hope that going to the shelter,puts her off and if she cannot be bothered with the red tape, she just might go off the idea, but then as i pointed out if she is determined enough there are other avenues she can try.

Some people just don't get it, they put their own selfish needs first without really thinking of the animals needs, i hope this story has a happy ending, but somehow i doubt it, just don't feel bad,you have done your best.