Conference misery::feline_v1

    Check with the Framingham Humane Society- their cats/kittens used to
    have their shots (I thought). I know they are tested for Leukemia, and
    will be in good health too. I think the cost is $35 but for this fee
    you know you are getting a healthy little pet. Also- they come with
    a spay/neuter certificate. 

    thanks, but $35 is out of reach right now.
    
    /gail

    Well, I don't know where you live, but my daughter called me
    last night and told me of a very pretty little calico girl
    stray that has been hanging around her house - this baby
    needs a home quickly so she won't get hit by a car.  She's
    cold and hungry.  She sounds like a 4 or 5 month old kitten.
    
    If anyone is interested, they can call her at home:
    
    508.937.5538 Susan Trachman

    Maybe this isn't the time for you to obtain a kitten.  The `cost'
    of an animal is always the least expensive part of responsible
    ownership.  If you can't afford an adoption fee, what would happen
    is the kitten got a URI and needed medical attention?
    
    This isn't meant to be a flame, but I have seen several folks take
    in free kittens and didn't have the $$$ to care for them properly...
    the results arn't pretty.
    
    Please think this through, the kitten will be depending on you.

    Michele

    Please see note 4248.  Pricilla's has cats ranging from 4-13 months.
    I believe all of them have had shots, Feluk tested, and she has 
    "fixed" all the ones that were old enough.  
    
    I do agree with the previous note....and that you really should
    think this over.  The price of the cat is only the beginning. I
    own 6...and spend alot dollars at vets. (and none of them have any
    major health problems...the vets visits are for ear problems,
    worms, abscesses, colds, etc...) 
                            
    Good luck in your search....Sandy

    Well said, Michelle.
    
    A friend of mine adopted a "free" kitten from a woman who could not
    afford to give it proper care.  This kitten had fleas, mites, worms,
    wasn't neutered, and it cost her over $300 to make him healthy again.
    
    Even if you take in a stray, you will still have to take the kitten to
    the vets for shots.  And, if you were lucky enough to adopt a kitten
    that had all it's shots, what would you do when it needs to be fixed,
    if it got sick (as Michelle indicated), needed emergency care, etc.? 
    Food and litter can also be expensive when purchased on a weekly basis. 
    Lots of things to consider.  No animal is ever "free."
    
    Please think long and hard about your decision.  All humane societies
    charge an adoption fee and willl require that you spay or neuter your
    kitten when it is old enough.  Also, most folks giving away free
    kittens don't bother to take them to the vet for a health check and
    vaccines.  They are just as anxious to get rid of them as you are to
    adopt them.
    
    
    --Roberta
    

    
    Well, thanks anyways.  I have had many cats and never had all these
    expenses, other than the regular shots and yearly checkups.  I am just
    saying that with it being Christmas I don't have $35 to spend on a
    kitten.  The reason I want a kitten and not a cat is I have a dog, and
    my past experience with adopting an older cat has been that she would
    not allow any other animals in the home.
    
    /gail

    
    One of my favorite sayings is "There's no such thing as a FREE cat".
    
    If money is an issue please consider two things.  
    1. If you and your friend share a place and you get a male & female
    be very sure you get them already neutered.  If you don't and if
    money is a problem so you delay spaying you will very likely find
    yourself with a pregnant cat on your hands.
    
    2. Keep your cats indoors.  That will cut down on expenses due to
    injuries and other illnesses that the cats can contract outside.
    Not to mention keeping away fleas and worms that cost money to treat.
    
    Do yourself and your cat a big favor and set aside $5-$10 each week in
    a "Vet fund".  that way you'll have money if your cat gets sick or when
    the time comes for shots.
    
    Good luck
      Nancy DC
    

    My "free" kittens have cost me over $600 in medical care
    since I got them both 1-1/2 yrs ago.  Not counting the
    earmites, fleas, worms, neutering and vaccinations  they
    needed, it was discovered almost too late that one had
    a birth defect and needed emergency treatment that ran
    $380 worth.  I don't resent spending the money to save
    my Rusty, but $380 buys a lot of cat food!!!! (and other
    stuff!)
    Very few shelters have no fee.  The MSPCA's range from
    $25 to $40.  Others ask for a donation.
    Adopt a Cat, Inc. in Concord is having difficulties because
    they are over-crowded.  Give them a call as the cats are
    all vaccinated and cleaned up.  They have a low cost spay/
    neuter program if you take a kitten.  At least at a shelter,
    you will get a healthy kitten.  It IS worth the money.
    
    Lynne-Casey, B.K., Pepper & Rusty & the orange visitor
    
    

    From note 1.0:

>These are the baseline rules of this conference. Further elaboration on some
>policys are in 1.*. If you wish to note in this conference, we ask that you
>abide by them. 
>
>	2. The Golden Rule - Do unto others ...
>	   o Treat others, especially newcomers, as YOU would like to be
>	     treated.
>
>	3. The Golden Mean - Nothing in Excess
            .  
            .
>	   o If one or two people have said it, don't feel compelled to join
>	     in and say it again as it can be quite intimidating if you are on
>	     the receiving end. We want everyone to feel free to express
>	     their opinions.


    The author of the base note (between her base note and replies) said that
    this being the holiday season she didn't have the extra money for a
    kitten but would like one and could give it a good home. In MY OPINION
    AS MODERATOR *some* of the notes in this string are are coming across in a
    lecturing tone, and are certainly not very welcoming to someone that
    just asked a question. Had she not mentioned the bit of information
    about money being a bit tight around the holiday season, or used the
    term "free" I'm sure that some of the notes would have been a bit
    more accommodating. Furthermore, it is fine if one or two people mention
    why there is not such thing as a "free cat", but is there really a need
    for a whole chorus of similar responses? It can make the person on the
    receiving end feel very unwelcome and perhaps get defensive.

    Deb

      I have 11 cats, and I guess I've been lucky,  I wouldn't say the
    vet bills have been any problem.  But,  I wanted to let you know about
    the last 2 kitties I adopted from Kitty Angels in Tyngsboro.  The
    shelter had some cats at the Haverhill cat show a couple weekends ago.
    They are very overcrowded right now and were offering a 2 for 1
    "special".   The normal adoption fee is $55,  but before you gasp and
    say that's too much, let me tell you it covers everything!   We ended
    up with cats #10 and 11!!!  We couldn't resist them!  The fee covers
    neutering/spaying, first set of shot, leuk test, upper respitory,
    complete worm, flea and ear mites treatments if needed, claws clipped when
    you take them home, and of course a physical.  If you were to try to 
    do all these things separetly at your vet,, it would cost a 
    lot more.  I think the price is a bargain, at least you 
    know you're getting a healthy animal.
    And,  here's the good part,  she was willing to take the payment in
    part.  We didn't have the money with us,  but she was willing to take a
    deposit and let us send her the rest.  I'm sure she would be willing to
    let you make payments, if you were to provide the cats with a good home.
    Her name is Joan Abbott.  I don't have the number right here, but it's
    in this file.  Maybe where you would be getting 2 cats,  she would
    extend the 2 for 1 offer, especially where they are crowded.  I have
    gotten a cat from her before,  and I feel safe knowing that they have
    been taken care of, and are not up for adoption until they are ready.
    That means a lot.  Most shelters don't go that far.  She would be worth
    trying to reach.   Also many shelters,  MSPCA being one of them, do not
    allow pre-xmas adoptions.  I don't know what the cutoff date in Dec.
    is, but they won't resume adoptions until after the holidays.
    Good luck,  I hope you find your dream kitties,  they'll be your best
    friends for life!
    
                         Denise and the gang of 11!!!
    

    What about Leon in 4260.  He may be your answer.  Since the dog was
    there first, I don't think you would have the dominating problem.  Also
    if you have an enclosed porch Leon might not mind sleeping there.  He
    sounds like a semi-out door cat.  I would take him, but I live
    inMichigan and that's a bit far.  If you transport him by car, try to
    have your friend go with you and let them both sit together.  Many cats
    are terribly frightened in a moving car and try to jump at the window
    or crawl under your feet while your driving.  My Joshua got used to
    sitting in between two people in the front seat and curling into a
    ball, but most people have bucket seats now.  The moving throws their
    equilibrium off and its similar to car sickness, though I've never had
    any soil anything.  Good Luck.  

    Forgive my ineptness.  I thought I was replying here, and it ended up
    as a new note #4263; Leon needs a home out East.  Please see that note. 
    I'll try to brush up on skills here.  Lorraine and Josh

    re: cars and cats - Always use a carrier.  As the previous noter stated
    cats have a tendency to get under the driver's feet - very dangerous.
    There is also the danger that the cat will bolt out of the car when
    the door is opened and finally, if you have an accident the cat in
    a carrier has more protection than one that is loose in a car.  Why
    do you think they require baby seats?
      Just a word of caution.
       Nancy DC
    
    p.s. Cats feel more secure in small enclosed spaces so a carrier
    should help soothe a cat that is very anxious about riding in the car.
    
    

    Yes Nancy!  I second the cat carrier recommendation - I was in a very
    bad accident a couple of years ago, in which the (new) car was
    totalled, and I had to learn to walk again.  I had been transporting
    two of my cats at the time - In carriers, thank goodness!  Even though
    the car (and me, almost!) was totalled, the carriers had neither
    scratches or any dents, and aside from being quite shaken up, the cats
    were fine!  Don't leave home without them, you just never know!  I
    can't
    even bear to think what might have happened to them that day if they 
    hadn't been in carriers!
    
    Heather + Muff, Oscar, Pandora + Cocoa
    

    this may be off the subject a little but...
    
    i am going home for Christmas (about 3 hours away) and taking Double
    and Snuzzy.  I have 2 cat carriers, but, I was thinking of putting both
    in the same carrier this time.  You see, I have a VERY small honda, am
    transporting big gifts and my clothes and just hope both cats could
    stay in the same carrier.
    
    Two weeks ago I took them in to be spayed and put them in the same
    carrier-- they like to lie together in a ball.  They are 6 months old
    and seem to like confined spaces anyway.  BTW. the carrier was about
    half full with both cats-- it is one of those small ones.  
    
    Is this a bad idea?????
    --Becca
           

    Sounds ok to me.  With the number of cats I have I usually have
    to put more than one in a carrier.  What determines who goes where
    is how they react  Some of the cats are fine in close quarters,
    others would fight.
    
    Too bad you aren't closer, I could loan you a bigger carrier.
    You might want to check out the next cat show.  Haddeleigh House
    sells the large cat carrier for $17 which is a FANTASTIC price.
      Nancy