Kitten troubles

[moonkitty]

The other day my hubby and I found a little feral kitten. It is only about 8 weeks old –it was wild, but trapped under the sundeck. We though it we just turned it loose it probably wouldn’t live very long on its own. So we thought we’d catch it and since it was so young it wouldn’t take long to tame it down and then we could find a home for it. We’ve had it for a few days, and it has certain become very calm and friendly little kitten—and I’m ready to start looking for a home for it. But my hubby and children have grown quite attached it. It is a very darling little thing, but I’m afraid I’d be the one who’d end up doing all the work for it. And frankly I just do not feel up to it. Plus there is also the added expense of keeping a cat. So I don’t know if I should mean and find a home for it anyway, or be nice and let them keep it?

 

[Sabina41]

Cats really aren't a lot of work, but the first year definitely has the most. There are easy ways to get around it though. Look in your newspaper and find the number for the local humane society or animal shelter. Call them and ask for low cost vaccine clinics and low cost spay/neuter clinics. For people who qualify these really can take a lot off the cost of a kitten. Even if you don't decide to keep it you should have the baby FeLV/FIV tested (feline leukemia/feline aids). Wild/feral cats are most likely to be positive and these are terminal diseases. You wouldn't want to give the kitten away only to risk spreading the disease or upsetting the new family that would have the kitten. Plus you'd want to know for yourself if you decide to keep the kitten. Kittens should have a series of distemper shots (FVRCP), usually 3, to build up immunity to a number of diseases and a rabies vaccine after 12 weeks. If you do some hunting low cost clinics do these all the time. You don't necessarily have to take her to a vet and spend a lot of money. And be sure to get her spayed/neutered. Some places will do it very young (even at 8weeks) but some will have you wait until she's a couple months old.

Whatever you do, keep her or not, you should get her FeLV/FIV tested and started on vaccines. That way she's gotten a good start to life at least and won't spread diseases. It's a tough decision to make, but kittens are a lot less work then dogs. You don't have to train them, walk them, etc. Good luck!

 

[Dagna]

Sabina pretty much summed it all up. Cats are easy to care for really. Much easier than a dog or a small animal. They just need food and a clean litterbox, which both take a total of about 10 minutes to deal with in my house and we have 3 cats. Either way you go, please get it tested for FeLV or FIV at the very least and the minimum of vaccines and preferably get it fixed and then use the adoption fee to cover the expense. I've known many adopters that say they'll get the cat fixed and then three years later, the cats back and pregnant and we're stuck with an adult cat and kittens on top of it, trying to adopt all of them out.

 

[moonkitty]

When I was a teenager I spent a summer volunteering at a humane society; so I’m rather familiar what shots and test they need, and that I can have it done at low cost. But thank you very much for your concern. (and I was planning on making sure it was tested for
FeLV or FIV) The main cost I’m worried about is the $300 pet deposit my apartment complex requires. They do spot check on apartments every few months so I know they’ll eventually find out about the kitten if I keep it. As for the “work” required for the kitten what I meant was the training it not to jump on furniture; not to race for the door every time it opens and such. I recently went through a rather long illness and I’m not quite sure if I feel up to it all yet.

 

[Dagna]

Ah, the pet deposits can be a nightmare. Honestly, I've only paid half of my pet deposit at my apartment and they haven't said a thing to me, but if your complex does spot checks, that could be a problem. As for training, just use spray bottle of water. When the cat does something wrong, spray it. It's worked for all of my cats. But, honestly, if you don't want a cat right now, best to try to adopt it out ASAP before they get attached even more and before the cat gets older. Kittens are almost always easier to adopt out than older kitties. One way to possibly speed things up as well would be to speak witha rescue group about helping you adopt the cat out while you foster it. Might make it a little faster.