Frustration

**heidiv** · 09-02-2008, 09:25 PM

I don't know how all of you can afford to pay for the vaccines and tests that these little guys require I simply wanted to get them checked for worms, Feline Lukemia test and their first distemper shots given and that is going to be well over 150.00 for all three. I am at such a loss right now....I understand that its my responsiblity to make sure that all of that is done and its something I need to do for them..... But that is a lot of money...for babies that I am not going to be keeping.....I guess that is what I am required to do since I have decided to do this without a humane society backing me. I am going to go through with getting them the needed care that they need but its going to take a small fortune to do so anyone have any ideas on cost savings with vaccine and feline lukemia testing??? I know you all have some good ideas as to what to do about this....Advice needed.

**GILL** · 09-03-2008, 07:47 AM

Yes it can be frustrating at times and yes it can be expensive, but the way I look at it is that I have taken on the responsibility for the care of these babies. I do consider them my babies. They cannot provide health care for them selves. They could live on the street and have a short life span, but I would rather live on peanut butter then see any of my charges in any trouble or discomfort.
Too have the love and companionship is the most rewarding thing I can think off.

**Medusa** · 09-03-2008, 08:11 AM

I'm sure that others will have many good suggestions for you. When I was rescuing, I did everything out of pocket. My vet had retired and there wasn't another vet that would give me a price break on anything. I asked everywhere. It's tough financially but, if it's going to continue to strain and drain your finances, consider stopping rescue for a while til things even out for you. That's what I had to do. Once we take them in, it's our responsibility to see to it that they get the best start in life and that includes vaccines, etc. Good luck and bless you for the good work that you've done.

**Catty1** · 09-03-2008, 10:37 AM

Why have you decided to do this without a Humane Society backing you? Have you talked to them? Can they be of help?

If not, maybe another shelter or cat group can help.

Your vet may take payments - or, as I just suggested to someone else, Google "Care Credit". It's a loan for pets (and hoomins) health that charges no interest on whatever is paid back in 3 months time.

Good luck - please keep us posted!

**moosmom** · 09-03-2008, 10:54 AM

That's why whenever I adopt a cat out, I charge whatever the vet charged me. It would cost the new owners that much anyways. It's also a good way to weed out the undesired homes and guarantee that the cat will be well cared for. If the perspective adopters gripe about the cost, I simply show them the vet bill. If they can't afford the cost, the have no business adopting a pet. I'm lucky that I have vet who is willing to work with me.

**heidiv** · 09-03-2008, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by moosmom

That's why whenever I adopt a cat out, I charge whatever the vet charged me. It would cost the new owners that much anyways. It's also a good way to weed out the undesired homes and guarantee that the cat will be well cared for. If the perspective adopters gripe about the cost, I simply show them the vet . If they can't afford the cost, the have no business adopting a pet. I'm lucky that I have vet who is willing to work with me.

This is a really good point I should do this I have found that there are some real losers that want to adopt animals.....Good point I could easily weed out the idiots.....

**heidiv** · 09-03-2008, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Catty1

Why have you decided to do this without a Humane Society backing you? Have you talked to them? Can they be of help?

If not, maybe another shelter or cat group can help.

Your vet may take payments - or, as I just suggested to someone else, Google "Care Credit". It's a loan for pets (and hoomins) health that charges no interest on whatever is paid back in 3 months time.

Good luck - please keep us posted!

I took in these 3 babies cause I was mainly concerned that they were going to be dropped off at someones farm to fend for themselves I knew the person caring for them. They didn't have the same feelings on felines as I do.... They thought that as long as you give them to some place such as a farm there would be enough rodents ect. for them to live from so they could get by...I felt that if they had been living within a home environment being fed 2 times a day doesn't really give them the "sense" of even knowing were to begin to find food on their own. So that is why. For some strange reason people live under this understanding since cats can live on farms just makes them "all" be able to do so. Well unless they are raised that way from the get go more chances that they will be killed or even starve to dealth. Breaks my heart so I opened my heart up to this group cause honestly I couldn't see them go through that.... the babies are toooooo sweet. I am looking into vaccine clinics at the local shelters or petco? Although that required a 1/2 hour ride both ways so I am going to keep searching and calling. Didn't know if anyone else had any ideas...

**heidiv** · 09-03-2008, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by Medusa

I'm sure that others will have many good suggestions for you. When I was rescuing, I did everything out of pocket. My vet had retired and there wasn't another vet that would give me a price break on anything. I asked everywhere. It's tough financially but, if it's going to continue to strain and drain your finances, consider stopping rescue for a while til things even out for you. That's what I had to do. Once we take them in, it's our responsibility to see to it that they get the best start in life and that includes vaccines, etc. Good luck and bless you for the good work that you've done.

Thanks I am not giving up if it means paying I am going to pay my husband is backing me 100% he feels the same about animals as I do so that is a really good thing. My mother has a vet that she sees often and she said he is more reasonable on things so I may give him a call. I just HAVE to make sure that my cats are safe....That is my main concern right now. They are all I have as far as children go so they are far most my biggest concern for right now. I want to make sure that they don't spread anything to them. So I have to do this right ya know. I have to admit I might be a foster failure I am falling more and more in love with one of the orangies....She is such a honey bun!!! Its bad that would make 5

**Catlady711** · 09-03-2008, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by heidiv

I have to admit I might be a foster failure I am falling more and more in love with one of the orangies....She is such a honey bun!!! Its bad that would make 5

I think it's great what you are doing for those kitties. A word of caution though.

$150 is an avg price (at least here) for all those tests/vaccines (assuming it's per cat, if all 3 combined then that's a great price). If that is a major strain on the finances you might want to rethink 'fostering' them if you already think you might fail fostering 101. If perchance one or more of them should have an illness requiring tests, special food, medicine etc then that $150 would look like a drop in the bucket in comparison.

Rescuing/fostering is great, but when your finances are strained to the point that it causes you not to be able to pay your bills, causes fights with the spouse, or makes you second guess taking your critter to the vet because of cost, then it's time to rethink how many pets you can really care for, whether permenant or temporary.

Just something to think about.

**heidiv** · 09-03-2008, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by Catlady711

Rescuing/fostering is great, but when your finances are strained to the point that it causes you not to be able to pay your bills, causes fights with the spouse, or makes you second guess taking your critter to the vet because of cost, then it's time to rethink how many pets you can really care for, whether permenant or temporary.

Just something to think about.

Again its not that my finances are strained...... I really didn't realize that it was goin to be as much of a investment as it is. I wouldn't take this back in a heartbeat they have been more than rewarding in the love they give its worth every penny that has been invested. I was just wondering if there was vaccine clinics or something down that line that I could save or other options that anyone could have I was completely shocked when it came to the huge amount of money that it would be up front. I completely understand that if someone were to get ill the amount of money it would cost to get them better...

I just invested a ton of money in getting our little Chloe's eye diagnosed at the University of Minnesota so I understand by all means what it costs to get your animal healthy when they are ill. I have has 2 cats that I have invested that kind of money into, one which I had to make a huge investment in and ultimately have to make the horrible decision to have her PTS due to the fact that she had a stroke. So I know the amount of time and money goes into animals. The only other option I had was to allow this women to just take these 8 week old babies and drop them off at a farm where they would have had to fend for themselves. Being an animal person or Cat person I couldn't handle the thought of it. So if it means overtime at my job I will go the extra mile. I just look at if I could avoid it by finding a little better money saving away of getting their first shots etc. then yes, I would rather go that route. That way I can spend more time socializing the kittens and loving my own... I would rather... Its a ton more rewarding spending time with the animals then sitting at work.... This isn't the first time I have fostered.....Its the first time I have fostered without the backing of a humane society. I just did it for the safety of the animals... It was sort of a decision I made to save the kittens from an uncertain future.

**heidiv** · 09-03-2008, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by GILL

Too have the love and companionship is the most rewarding thing I can think off.

I 100% agree with you the only reason why I do this.....That and they are so much fun!!! People often ask me why do you do that when it cost so much for you to do all that?......I just say if "It weren't for me and all the other animal lovers out there this world would be a much more horrible place to live." Animals are the only reason why I do what I do. I don't connect anyone as much as I do my animals.....They just understand me