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Hard Times

Yes, there will come times when illness, death of a spouse, or sudden loss of income will drastically affect the kinds of care we can give our cats. Changes in global economy can also have a massive effect on cat care as prices soar. Let's explore areas where compromises can be made in cat care costs:

• Cat Food Expenses
  Certainly, food choices can be compromised somewhat, by buying the least expensive premium cat foods, buying larger bags of dry food, or even supplementing premium cat food with grocery store brands, until finances improve.

• Cat Litter Savings
  "Chicken crumble," such as Purina's Layena brand, which is around $10 for a 50-pound bag, makes a good temporary subsitute for litter. Litter costs can also be mitigated by purchasing the largest bag available.
• Veterinary Expenses
  Some cat owners have stretched the time period between annual well-care examinations for younger, healthy cats. Some core vaccinations can be given at home for substantial savings, particularly in a multiple-cat household. Note: Do not attempt home vaccinations unless you are completely familiar with the process and the risks.
  Emergency veterinary treatment is a bit tougher to tackle. The About Cats Forum members came up with a few suggestions for one hard-strapped member, and I'll add a couple more:
  
  
  • Ask for payment terms
    Some veterinarians will allow you to pay off an emergency bill in weekly or monthly installment. You can even offer to write post-dated checks (but be sure they will clear).
  • Borrow
    Borrow from family, friends, or your local bank, if possible. Ask your credit card holder for a temporary increase in your limit, but be sure to make at least the minimum payment the following month. Care Credit (U.S. and Canada) offers interest-free loans for up to one year for veterinary emergencies.
  • Pawn or sell possessions
    I know one person who has sold her entire collection of CDs and DVDs to pay for veterinary care, without a thought for herself. Look around your house and see what you can afford to give up, then hold a yard sale.
  • Barter
    Bartering is big nowadays with many businesses, and you probably have some skill to offer your veterinarian in return for his/her services:
    
    • Offer to clean the office, scrub holding cages, or paint exam rooms.
    • Offer to baby-sit or pet-sit over a six-month period.
    • Trade skills: massage therapy, dentistry, pet-sitting, carpentry, computer repair, or haircuts and manicures.
  
  If you have established a previous relationship of working with your veterinarian as a team, she will be more likely to make concessions when it comes to emergency care. This underscores the importance of being a responsible caregiver in all ways. You owe your cat no less.
  

The Tragic Price of Irresponsibility:

Shelters in the United States are so full that 4 - 6 million cats and dogs are euthanized each year. Millions of other cats eke out a frail existence on the streets, and meet tragic early deaths. (The photos shown here, courtesy of GalensGranny, are good examples.) The cause for these needless tragedies can be traced directly to irresponsible people. Yes, most of them good people at heart, but irresponsible nevertheless.

I'd suggest that someone who loves cats but can't afford to give them responsible care, do the really unselfish thing and volunteer at a shelter, instead of taking on another cat. Most shelters could not operate without volunteers, and volunteers quickly learn the realities of the lives of companion animals and the consequences of irresponsible pet ownership. It would be a win-win situation: you would be able to get your regular cat-fix without guilt, and the shelter cats would benefit from your loving care.